Blueberries New Jersey's Gems

New Jersey is known  for many culinary achievements, It have the most diners, the best pork roll and an amazing amount of diverse foods. It  also is the hub of blueberry industry. These deep blue gems proliferate not far from the Jersey shore where they're grown in abundance.

Rachel Wharton, food writer and editor for The New York Daily News covered the scene in Wednesday's New York Times Food section.  She visited several family owned farms in the Pinelands area. This is south Jersey where the land is  composed of  sugar sand , a finely grained soil, perfect for growing fruits and vegetables The area , also known as  Pine Barrens, covers seven counties is home to pitch pines, and white cedars. Yet the blueberries reign supreme here as they have for over a century. They've put the Garden State on the map. New Jersey is the fifth largest blueberry producer in the US, right behind Georgia and Washington State. Many of the farms have been family owned for decades. They grow the most popular varieties of Elizabeths, named for Elizabeth Coleman White, a cranberry farmer's daughter who worked with the government to establish the nation's blueberry's industry in 1916.Until then the berries  were foraged like morels and ramps. Her life was devoted to taming the Northern highbush berries,making American agricultural history  as well. She brought blueberries to America's table even having them advertised in the New York City subway system and putting them on the breakfast menu at the former and famed NY department store B. Altman's

These indigenous berries have many different varieties. Botanically speaking there are three different types according to Mark Ehlenfeldt, a blueberry breeding specialist with The United States Department of  Agriculture in Chatsworh, near the Pine Barrens. Many farms grow the highbush, which is grown for commercial use, the lowbush, a wild variety found mostly in Maine and the rabbit eye found in the American South. The last have an earthy flavor and used in cakes.. Most blueberry plants both here in Jersey and around the world. are the direct descendants of Elizabeth Coleman White's studies.Her namesake berry has an almost cult following and is perfect for filling pies There are also the Bluecrops, favored by Richard Stevens, scion of  Stevens Blueberries.. These have a flavor that swings from sweet to tart - perfect for pancakes.. Berry affectioados can visit and even pick blueberries at the various farms listed in the article. It is about a two hour trip south of Manhattan if you take the Garden State Parkway south.. Some farms have  extras such as Fred Plus III which also has guided Japanese style nature walks.and Emery 's Berry Farm which also sells pies and preserves.Haines berry farm also sells honey and blueberry jam along with blueberry honey, perfect for sweetening teas.\
\
This is blueberry season here in New Jersey. Take advantage and pick these beautiful gems with their sweet earthy flavor. It's a fun day out, full of rewards/