Berried Treasure Found in Oregon!

By Uncle Paul

The Willamette Valley is considered to be a berry paradise by those who grow and buy fruit. We grow over 50 varieties of berries for sale all over the world. Several factors unique only to the Willamette Valley contribute to the rich, sweet, and intense flavors of our wonderful berries. Remember the story of the Tortoise and the Hare, how the tortoise slowly but steadily won the race. Oregon berries grow slowly because of our unique maritime climate. The NW’s long mild spring and cool summer evenings allow the berries more hang time to plump up and slowly become ripe, sweet, and rich with intense flavor. I wait for berry season each and every year, and every year my anticipation falls short of the reward I get from an Oregon-grown berry. In this month’s article I discuss three of my favorites.

First, the Wonderful Oregon Strawberry
Oregon strawberries are known everywhere for their exceptionally intense taste, deep red color both inside and out, and incredible sweetness. These qualities that make our strawberries so wonderful to eat, make them difficult to ship outside of Oregon when fresh. So, sadly to say, we have to eat them all ourselves. Darn! With Oregon strawberries, it’s the taste that comes first; we leave being durable to the other states. To put it bluntly, there are no better strawberries than those grown in our own Willamette Valley.

Strawberries are a good source of vitamin C, fiber, folic acid, and potassium. They contain a number of antioxidant compounds that help you stay healthy in a variety of ways. We should all eat five servings of fruits and vegetables a day, and one-half cup of Oregon strawberries a day is a delicious way to begin.

Second, the Delightful Oregon Marion Berry
This was one of Oregon’s best-kept secrets. Long revered on the West Coast as a culinary treasure, Marion berries are finally getting known throughout the world by chefs everywhere.

The Oregon Berry Commission describes the Marion berry: ”Admired for their unique and complex flavor profile, Marion berries have an essence that captures the warmth
of a summer day in the great Northwest and releases it in your mouth like a lovely memory. Their vibrant purple color packs a powerful nutritional punch that catapults Marion berries to the top of the antioxidant charts. With an underlying earthiness, hints of sweet and a lively tartness, wholesome Marion berries present an explosion of flavor and well-being that is larger than life.

The Marion berry is a cross between the Chehalem and Olallieberry blackberries, capturing the best attributes of both berries for an intense blackberry flavor and an aromatic bouquet. It was 1956 when the Marion berry was first introduced to the American consumer. In fact, the Marion berry was developed in the fields of Marion County and, from this birthplace, the berry got its name. (Marion County itself is named in honor of the daring “Swamp Fox” hero of the American Revolution.)

Third, the Sweet Oregon Blueberry
If you got the blues, you can get rid of them with Oregon blueberries. Blueberries are the perfect take-along snack. They are considered brain food. Article after article has been written about blueberries and their benefit to one’s health. I was impressed with the following article by the Oregon Blueberry Commission: “Want to retain your memory? Try a blueberry. Lower your risk factors for some cancers? Make blueberries part of your diet. How about a great natural source of antioxidants for optimum health? The long list of health benefits associated with blueberries is becoming as well known among the general public as it has been for many years in the health and research communities and with professional growers. From Newsweek to the Wall Street Journal and beyond, it’s almost impossible now not to hear something good, make that great, about blueberries.“

”When it comes to brain protection, there’s nothing quite like blueberries,” according to Tufts’ neuroscientist James Joseph, as recounted in Newsweek (6/17/02). ”I call the blueberry the brain berry,” says Joseph, who attributes the effects to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds. In the Wall Street Journal (4/29/03), an article on reversing memory loss noted “blueberries . . . had the strongest impact” in a study showing aging rodents behaved more like their younger counterparts when fed several different fruits. In fact, blueberries are a standout fruit in the 5 A Day The Color Way™ for Better Health Program, the nation’s largest public-private nutrition education initiative. With the goal of increasing fruit and vegetable consumption to 5 A Day for 75% of Americans by 2010, the program recommends that consumers should Eat Your Colors. Blueberries are one of the top fruits and vegetables in the Blue/Purple category. According to the program, blues and purples lower the risk of some cancers and promote urinary tract health, memory function, and healthy aging with their varying amounts of health-promoting phytochemicals such as anthocyanins and phenolics, which are currently being studied for their antioxidant and anti-aging benefits.

Towards the end of May start enjoying Oregon strawberries, Marion berries, blueberries, red, yellow and black raspberries, boysenberries, huckleberries, currants, and many more. Don’t let the berry season slip by. Enjoy the incredible sweet taste and the wonderful health benefits that accompany all the wonderful Oregon berries. There truly is berried treasure for the picking in Oregon.

Uncle Paul first starting working with produce at the age of 14. He owns, along with his wife Calla, Uncle Paul’s European Style Open Air Produce Market, 2310 SE Hawthorne, 503-484-8612. His specialty is working with local farmers to bring the freshest, highest quality produce at the lowest prices to his customers.