all blueberries are not created equal

Blueberries were in abundance at the Green City Market this morning, and as is my usual purchasing practice, I tasted a few from every stand before deciding where to buy. Most were delicious, but there were distinct differences, some of which I've highlighted below.

Hillside Orchard: very sweet. intense but one-dimensional blueberry flavor. Plump yet still nice and firm.

Mick Klug: huge, plump blueberries with a mushier texture than Hillside's. Not quite as sweet or as good.

Ellis Farms: much tarter than either of the above, but still plenty of sweetness for balance. Smaller and firmer berries. Easily my favorite at the market.

I bought 5 pounds, some for eating, and some for a sorbet that'll have the blueberries, Kinnikinnick Farms sage, sugar, and a touch of very good balsamic vinegar.

Kennyz wrote:Blueberries were in abundance at the Green City Market this morning, and as is my usual purchasing practice, I tasted a few from every stand before deciding where to buy. Most were delicious, but there were distinct differences, some of which I've highlighted below.

Hillside Orchard: very sweet. intense but one-dimensional blueberry flavor. Plump yet still nice and firm.

Mick Klug: huge, plump blueberries with a mushier texture than Hillside's. Not quite as sweet or as good.

Ellis Farms: much tarter than either of the above, but still plenty of sweetness for balance. Smaller and firmer berries. Easily my favorite at the market.

I bought 5 pounds, some for eating, and some for a sorbet that'll have the blueberries, Kinnikinnick Farms sage, sugar, and a touch of very good balsamic vinegar.

I noticed some differences in raspberries across vendors, but also differences from the same vendor one week to the next. I'd be interested to see if your impressions of the blueberries are similar next time you try them.

I usually do this, myself - at least with berries, where it's a viable choice (kicking myself for not asking to buy a single apricot this last time; what I chose was just OK) It's part of the fun of a market: getting not only something seasonal that isn't available elsewhere, but picking the best the market has to offer.

As a just started owner of a You Pick Raspberry and Blueberry operation, a lot of what you are tasting is the different varieties of raspberry and blueberries. The different varieties ripen at different seasonal times. Of course some taste differences may come from soil conditions, but for the most part, I'd say it was because of the variety.

Both Marianos and costco have michigan blueberries available, and they are quite good. Is it usual for michigan blueberries to be available this late? I seem to remember them ending by early september in the past or even earlier. This might just be a strange season with the weather, or they are growing a new kind, or my memory is failing me and this isnt unusual.

-Will