Fort Myers Florida Weekly

From U-pick to the grocery store, Florida’s blueberries a tasty treat



From U-pick to the grocery store, Florida’s blueberries a tasty treat

From U-pick to the grocery store, Florida’s blueberries a tasty treat

As we enter the heart of Florida’s blueberry harvesting season, you can now enjoy the yummy fresh fruit during its finest hours, say University of Florida experts.

For about 80 years, many Florida grown blueberries have been developed through the UF/IFAS blueberry breeding program. The vast majority of blueberry acreage in Florida is planted with UF/IFAS varieties.

Patricio Muñoz, an associate professor of horticultural sciences, leads the program. Muñoz constantly evaluates new blueberries to see which ones taste best and will grow well in Florida.

“Our program uses technology and tasting panels to define what to move into the commercial pipeline,” Muñoz said.

Up to 300 people taste the fruit before Muñoz moves a blueberry variety toward commercial release.

“Consumers prefer firm fruit and a balance between sugars and acids,” he said. “Also, many other naturally occurring chemicals significantly affect whether you like the fruit. So, the breeding program uses all this information to decide what to breed next and what to move to the pipeline that one day will delight the consumer palate.”

Blueberries are a tasty Florida treat you can go and pick yourself in season. COURTESY PHOTO

Blueberries are a tasty Florida treat you can go and pick yourself in season. COURTESY PHOTO

Those who savor blueberries will like all of the newer UF/IFAS southern highbush varieties, said Doug Phillips, statewide blueberry Extension coordinator. The newest cultivars, Albus and Sentinel, scored high in consumer taste panels at UF/IFAS.

In addition to Albus and Sentinel, Optimus, Arcadia and Avanti have been popular among Florida blueberry growers and should remain popular this season, Phillips said.

“Each of these produces a high yield and has great flavor, among other favorable characteristics,” he said. “Emerald also remains popular among growers in Central Florida. Even though it is an older cultivar, it grows well in that part of the state.”

Many people love to gather their own fruit from blueberry U-pick farms.

U-pick operations can be found throughout northern, central and southern Florida counties.

Blueberry Bunch Farm in LaBelle is one spot that is open for blueberry picking this season. “Our crew has worked hard to get the farm back for this season’ and we will still have more than enough blueberries for this season’s U-pic,” said Kristian Velasco of the family-owned farm. It is open from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursday-Sunday through May 14.

If you opt to buy your blueberries at the grocery store, ask your produce manager for Florida blueberries by looking for the “Fresh from Florida” label.

— The mission of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is to develop knowledge relevant to agricultural, human and natural resources and to make that knowledge available to sustain and enhance the quality of human life. With more than a dozen research facilities, 67 county Extension offi ces, and award- winning students and faculty in the UF College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, UF/ IFAS brings science- based solutions to the state’s agricultural and natural resources industries, and all Florida residents. Fort more information, see ifas. ufl.edu. ¦

In the KNOW

Blueberry Bunch Farm

When: 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursday-Sunday until May 14

Where: 2754 Howard Rd. in LaBelle

Call: 239-298-3471

Website: www.blueberrybunchfarm.com

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