A Native American

     Blueberries are one of only a few truly native American fruits, fruits of a shrub belonging to the heath family of edible plants, that includes cranberries.  Other relatives include the azalea, mountain laurel and rhododendron.  They grow in clusters and range in size from that of a pea to a marble.  With a deep color that can vary from blue to maroon, to purple/black they can have a white-gray waxy "bloom" that serves as a protective covering for the fruits that are in season from May to October.

     In terms of U.S. fruit consumption blueberries rank 2nd in popularity, behind the strawberry.  But they have the highest antioxidant content among all fruits and vegetables. Antioxidants are essential to optimizing health, helping to control free radicals that can damage cellular structures.  Enjoying these little powerhouses of health can benefit the body in a number of ways.  They support the cardiovascular system, improve memory, lower blood sugar, promote eye health and provide anti-cancer benefits.

     The United States cultivates and supplies over half of the world's blueberries!  That amounts to 275 million pounds annually.  And those of us who live in the Keystone State are fortunate to have easy access to some of the best in the nation right next door in New Jersey.