Extension Report

Baldwin County Extension Office

302A Byrne Street

Bay Minette, AL  36507

Carolyn Bivins

Regional Extension Agent

Human Nutrition, Diet & Health

June 24, 2008

You can always tell what season it is by the phone calls we receive here at the County Extension Office.  Right now it’s Blueberry Picking Time … just in time for the Alabama Blueberry Festival that was held on Saturday, June 21st at the Burnt Corn Creek Park in downtown Brewton.  

Blueberries are really good for you.  They are among nature’s most powerful antioxidant compounds.  A 3.5 ounce serving has 1,773 international units of Vitamin E.  They are low in calories (1/ 2 cup = 42 calories). Low in fat, sodium free, a good source of Vitamin C, Vitamin A and fiber (one cup=5 grams of fiber). It seems that you can’t say enough about the health benefits of blueberries. But did you know that much of their power lies in their color? That deep blue hue is caused by flavonoids—natural compounds that protect the brain’s memory-carrying cells (neurons) from the negative effects of oxidation and inflammation. (Parade Magazine: June 15, 2008) WOW!  What a quick, nutritious snack too! 

In the past, it was recommended not to wash blueberries because it might cause the berry’s skin to toughen.   But with the concern about food safety, food preservation experts have developed some guidelines for washing blueberries that minimizes the possibility of the skin toughening.

To enjoy the blueberries right away:  Place the fresh berries in a colander and quickly rinse with cold water.  A colander drains water off the fruit quickly.  Blueberries should never be allowed to stand in water.  If they do, the skin may become tough.  Pat the fruit dry with paper towels.  Then simply enjoy eating them as a snack or in a recipe.  Other ways to enjoy the fruit are:

Freezing Blueberries:

• Tray Pack   Spread the fruit in a single layer on cooking sheets, or trays; berries should not be crowded. Do Not wash berries before freezing.  Place the fruit in the freezer section of your refrigerator or in your freezer for 30 minutes to an hour until it freezes hard.  When frozen, pack berries in moisture proof, vapor-resistant plastic bags or cartons.  Fasten lids or seals securely and return to freezer.  Then, when you are ready for a quick snack or to add berries to a recipe, simply open the bag and pour out. WASH BERRIES BEFORE USING. 
• Dry Pack:  Pack berries into containers, leaving 1 /2-inch headspace.  Fasten lids or seals securely and freeze.  Wash berries before using.
• Syrup Pack:  Pack berries into containers, leaving 1 /2-inch headspace.  Cover with       a 40 percent syrup (3 cups of sugar to 4 cups of water) leaving a 1 /2-inch headspace for pints and a 1-inch headspace for quarts

• Crushed or Pureed – Quickly rinse blueberries off (using colander) and pat dry.   Crush; press berries through fine sieve, or puree in a blender or food processor.  Mix 1 to 1-1/8cups of sugar with each quart (2 pounds) of crushed berries or puree.  Stir until sugar is dissolved.  Pack into containers, leaving 1 /2-inch headspace.  Seal and freeze.   

Canning Blueberries

Use ripe, sweet blueberries or uniform color.  Wash only 1 or 2 quarts of berries at a time.  Drain and remove caps and stems, if necessary.  Blueberries may be canned in syrup, apple or pineapple juice, white grape juice or water.

• Hot Pack: Boil water (1 gallon for each pound of berries) in a large pot.  Add berries to boiling water and boil 30 seconds.  Drain.  Pour 1 /2 cup boiling syrup, juice, or water into each hot jar.  Fill jars with berries, leaving a 1 /2-inch headspace.  Add more boiling, liquid to cover berries, leaving a 1 /2-inch headspace.  Remove air bubbles.  Wipe jar rims and adjust lids.  Process in a boiling water-bath canner.  Pints or Quarts, 15 minutes.

Buy firm-fleshed berries or, off-season, try frozen, unsweetened varieties. Eat with plain yogurt, as a topping for cereal, or right out of the bowl.  It’s also refreshing to add blueberries to salads, pancakes, and as a topping for pound cake too.           

For more blueberry recipes, information and a free pamphlet call Carolyn Bivins at (251) 867-7760 or send an email to bivincf@aces.edu OR for information on how to purchase the 28th  Annual Alabama Blueberry Festival Cookbook for $10 call Judy Crane at (251) 867-3224 at Brewton Chamber of Commerce.  

Email address: cbivins@aces.edu

Phone: 937-7176 or 943-5611, 928-0860, ext. 2222

Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work in agriculture and home economics, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, and other related acts, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M University and Auburn University) offers educational programs, materials, and equal opportunity employment to all people without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, veteran status, or disability.

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