Canning with The Diva Preview | Page 11

Health benefits. There are many health benefits to eating blueberries. For starters, blueberries are low in fat with just 80 calories per cup. Research suggests the antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties of a blueberry can play an important role in helping to lessen the inflammatory process associated with chronic conditions like cardiovascular disease, cancer, and age-related cognitive decline.

Blueberries are high in Vitamin C which promote a healthy immune system and manganese which plays an important role in bone development. They’re also a good source of dietary fiber which contributes to heart health, helping to keep cholesterol in check.

How to buy. Look for plump, firm berries with a uniform, dusky-blue color. The silvery film which covers a blueberry is called bloom. Bloom is a sign of freshness and functions as natural protection for the berry. Shake the container gently: Berries should rattle freely, rather than stick together.

How to store. When you get the blueberries home, discard any smashed, moldy, or shriveled ones, and don’t rinse the berries until you’re ready to use them. Store unwashed blueberries in the refrigerator covered and they will last almost a week–longer than other berries.

Fun Fact: Over 200 million pounds of blueberries are grown every year in North America. Michigan and New Jersey produce 66% of all the blueberries in the United States, followed by North Carolina, Oregon and Washington.

From the Garden...

The season before planting your blueberries, test your soil. The necessary pH is between 4 and 5.5. As with home canning, you must create an acidic environment in your soil to watch your blueberries thrive! Blueberry soil bust be well aerated, moist and high in humus as well as acidic. If you need to make your soil more acidic, mix sulfur pellets and natural minerals together and apply seven pounds per one hundred square feet.