Blueberries are Michigan’s pride and joy, available fresh from July to September and easy to freeze so that they can be enjoyed throughout the year! Most nutritionists consider blueberries a super food. Why? Blueberries have consistently been recognized as the fruit with the highest antioxidant activity. These tasty berries offer twice as many health-giving antioxidants as spinach, more than three times as many as oranges, red grapes and cherries and more than four times as many as grapefruit, white grapes, bananas and apples. We love them for their sweet-tart taste and unique indigo blue color. They are a tasty summer time fruit that can be eaten raw or in cakes, desserts, muffins, yogurts or salads.
BLUEBERRY CAR TIPS: Check your box for any bruised blueberries. Wash and keep the blueberries refrigerated for longevity.
TO FREEZE: Place washed blueberries on a cookie tray (to prevent clusters) and then freeze. Once frozen, transfer berries into a plastic freezer bag or container and freeze! Easy!
MICHIGAN BLUEBERRY FACTS:
- Michigan leads the nation in growing blueberries, producing more than 30 different varieties
- Michigan blueberries are grown, harvested and processed by 600 family farms
- Allegan, Berrien, Muskegon, Ottawa and Van Buren counties comprise the state’s primary blueberry growing region
- Half of the blueberry acreage in Michigan is more than 40 years old, some plantings dating back to the 1930’s!
NUTRITION:
- 80 calories per cup
- High Antioxidant
- High in Vitamins A & C
Good source of manganese for bone development; dietary fiber for heart health; polyphenols with anti-inflammatory properties