Nutrition:
Amount per serving: 1 cup fresh blueberries
Calories: 83
Calories from Fat: 0
The blueberry of the genus Vaccinium, is a native American species. In fact the blueberry is one of the few fruits native to North America. Vacinnium is the family of all blueberries and includes more than 450 plants. This plant grows wild around the world and there are many names given to different blueberries.
Blueberry Cocktails: Blueberry Mojito Blueberry Smash Blue Lassi BLT Cherry Berry Smoothie
Fresh blueberries are a summertime treat and tradition in North America. You may now notice fresh blueberries on the shelves year round thanks to production in the Southern Hemisphere. About 50 percent of all blueberries produced are dedicated to the fresh market. The harvest starts in Florida in the Early Spring and Ends in British Columbia Canada in October and sometimes later.
Blueberry are grown in rows that are cultivated year round to produce sweet and plump berries. When the berry is a deep blue color, the blueberries are carefully hand picked and rushed to nearby packing houses. They are chilled, and rushed to markets in nearby cities and off to air fright around the world.
Today, the highbush blueberry is grown commercially in more than 38 states and provinces of Canada. Highbush blueberry industries have also developed in South America, Australia, New Zealand and Europe and according to the United Nations Food & Agricultural Organization, more than 42,000 metric tons are harvested each year. Although the USA and Canada are the largest producers and consumers of blueberries, the market around the world is also on the rise with Japan in particular becoming a blueberry loving nation.
(Source: The U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council)
