commercial southern blueberries suck

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ghostjmf · #1 Post by **ghostjmf** » Mon Jun 23, 2008 5:46 pm

Before everyone south of New Jersey gets real mad at me, please note I said "commercial". I've had wonderfully flavorful, if softish/mushy ('cause that's how they come) huckleberries served on shortcake with whipped cream from my friends in Georgia. You want somewhat mushy berries on your shortcake. And I've had wonderfully flavorful but as-teeny-as-huckleberries teeny hard Maine wild blueberries; technically, these were commercial, as I bought them somewhere, but I might as well have picked them somewhere. They weren't meant for travelling all over the universe.

Anyway; there's something about the growing of various berries that takes not only the right soil & climate conditions, it takes the people doing the growing knowing what makes good taste vs what just makes something that "looks/feels like a blueberry" but just doesn't cut it.

And all these berries that have hit the stores up northeast early this year but when examined say "product of Georgia, product of Florida" instead of Michigan, Quebec, Maine, New Jersey, etc, just don't taste very much like blueberries. But they mostly aren't mushy. They travel well, but they don't know what to do once they've got there.

Don't get me started on the strawberries. Real strawberries, with real strawberry flavor, you can these days get only in Nova Scotia or your garden. They have never bred a flavorful one that travels well. But these ones we're getting now, from Guatemala or whatever; forget it. They make me homesick for those previously disdained travel-well "ice berries", they're so clueless on strawberry-ness.

You'd think Mexican cataloupes would be OK, because, hey, its the same climate as the American southwest from which so many great cantaloupes come. You'd think, but, again, you have to start with good stock & the right attitude 1st. And whoever's growing these didn't.

The humongous, cheap cheap cheap Guatemalan blackberries take the flavorless prize. There was a reason why the real ones cost so much I can't hardly ever afford to buy them. And $4.00 large box of body-snatcher blackberries only remind me of what I have missed by not saving up for the real thing.

sunflower · #2 Post by **sunflower** » Mon Jun 23, 2008 5:53 pm

I wish you posted this 2 hours ago!!

I just went to the store and bought 3 packages of blueberries since they were on sale. And not having tried them yet, now I'm going into it assuming they'll suck.

It is weird that they are "Georgia Blueberries" that come from FL!

Oh well...maybe these will be the exception and be quite good. I usually go to the local farms for all my berries but I was in the store and they were only 99 cents so I couldn't resist.

TheConfessor · #3 Post by **TheConfessor** » Mon Jun 23, 2008 6:02 pm

Most of the blueberries I see in the store come from Chile. You can't get much more southern than that.

sunflower · #4 Post by **sunflower** » Mon Jun 23, 2008 8:40 pm

Okay so I tried my blueberries (Georgia blueberries from Florida) and they are good. Not farm fresh good, but good for 99 cents and they'll go well in my yogurt and in muffins.

silvercamaro · #5 Post by **silvercamaro** » Mon Jun 23, 2008 8:46 pm

I often intend to buy blueberries, but they are stacked next to the raspberries. I love raspberries.

Revised intention, every darn time.

JBillyGirl · #6 Post by **JBillyGirl** » Mon Jun 23, 2008 9:51 pm

The New Jersey blueberries should start kicking in a couple of weeks from now. We've got a wonderful farm nearby with pick-your-own berries, and it's a big reason I look forward to July every year. Mmmmmm can't wait.

gsabc · #7 Post by **gsabc** » Tue Jun 24, 2008 6:28 am

sunflower wrote: I usually go to the local farms for all my berries but I was in the store and they were only 99 cents so I couldn't resist.

99 cents?? I'd have bought out the stock! Even if they're terrible, I'd add sugar and use them in some muffins or other baking. Up here they're running something like $2.99 a pint, and claiming that's a sale price.

sunflower · #8 Post by **sunflower** » Tue Jun 24, 2008 7:24 am

gsabc wrote:
sunflower wrote: I usually go to the local farms for all my berries but I was in the store and they were only 99 cents so I couldn't resist.
99 cents?? I'd have bought out the stock! Even if they're terrible, I'd add sugar and use them in some muffins or other baking. Up here they're running something like $2.99 a pint, and claiming that's a sale price.

You don't have Stop and Shop up there, do you? Thoat's where I bought them. I might go buy some more, they were definitely good for muffins, pancakes, etc.

gsabc · #9 Post by **gsabc** » Tue Jun 24, 2008 8:04 am

sunflower wrote:
gsabc wrote:
sunflower wrote: I usually go to the local farms for all my berries but I was in the store and they were only 99 cents so I couldn't resist.
99 cents?? I'd have bought out the stock! Even if they're terrible, I'd add sugar and use them in some muffins or other baking. Up here they're running something like $2.99 a pint, and claiming that's a sale price.
You don't have Stop and Shop up there, do you? Thoat's where I bought them. I might go buy some more, they were definitely good for muffins, pancakes, etc.

We most certainly do! They started in the Boston area, and I went to school with the son of one of their (now) former executives. Does it require their card to get the price? ... never mind, I have my keyring card with me. We don't go there often, because we have a smaller local chain with much better prices in general. But for this, I'm heading out for a lunchtime shopping trip!

sunflower · #10 Post by **sunflower** » Tue Jun 24, 2008 8:32 am

gsabc wrote:
sunflower wrote:
gsabc wrote: 99 cents?? I'd have bought out the stock! Even if they're terrible, I'd add sugar and use them in some muffins or other baking. Up here they're running something like $2.99 a pint, and claiming that's a sale price.
You don't have Stop and Shop up there, do you? Thoat's where I bought them. I might go buy some more, they were definitely good for muffins, pancakes, etc.
We most certainly do! They started in the Boston area, and I went to school with the son of one of their (now) former executives. Does it require their card to get the price? ... never mind, I have my keyring card with me. We don't go there often, because we have a smaller local chain with much better prices in general. But for this, I'm heading out for a lunchtime shopping trip!

Maybe double check their flier online before you go. My grandmother lives in RI and they don't always have the same specials we have in CT. Grapes are always priced differently for some reason. I'd hate to have you go over there and find out they aren't on sale! But if they are, stock up!!!

gsabc · #11 Post by **gsabc** » Tue Jun 24, 2008 9:32 am

sunflower wrote:Maybe double check their flier online before you go. My grandmother lives in RI and they don't always have the same specials we have in CT. Grapes are always priced differently for some reason. I'd hate to have you go over there and find out they aren't on sale! But if they are, stock up!!!

Did that already. Limit of 2 on the blueberries, unfortunately. There are a couple of other sale items where I need to check prices. Grapes are the same as our regular store. Nearly all the regular prices at Stop & Shop are higher, and the few sale items don't make it worthwhile to schlep there from home. There's a store very close to work, though.

sunflower · #12 Post by **sunflower** » Tue Jun 24, 2008 9:54 am

gsabc wrote:Limit of 2 on the blueberries, unfortunately.

I bought more than 2, you just have to do multiple orders. It's worth it if you want them. Cashiers usually don't care as long as you're not getting 30. I had to buy more than 5 of the sale soda (coke 12 packs, 5/12) so I did all my normal stuff then a separate order of soda and blueberries!!

gsabc · #13 Post by **gsabc** » Thu Jun 26, 2008 9:11 am

sunflower wrote:
gsabc wrote:Limit of 2 on the blueberries, unfortunately.
I bought more than 2, you just have to do multiple orders. It's worth it if you want them. Cashiers usually don't care as long as you're not getting 30. I had to buy more than 5 of the sale soda (coke 12 packs, 5/12) so I did all my normal stuff then a separate order of soda and blueberries!!

Got the blueberries, but goofed and only did one order. So two went through at the sale price, and two at regular price. I've got to go back to another store in the same mall today, so maybe I'll see if a second run will give me the sale price again.

I also got the sale soda, but only 5. We're overstocked in the basement as it is. "But it was such a bargain!"

sunflower · #14 Post by **sunflower** » Thu Jun 26, 2008 9:16 am

gsabc wrote:
sunflower wrote:
gsabc wrote:Limit of 2 on the blueberries, unfortunately.
I bought more than 2, you just have to do multiple orders. It's worth it if you want them. Cashiers usually don't care as long as you're not getting 30. I had to buy more than 5 of the sale soda (coke 12 packs, 5/12) so I did all my normal stuff then a separate order of soda and blueberries!!
Got the blueberries, but goofed and only did one order. So two went through at the sale price, and two at regular price. I've got to go back to another store in the same mall today, so maybe I'll see if a second run will give me the sale price again.

I also got the sale soda, but only 5. We're overstocked in the basement as it is. "But it was such a bargain!"

I have to go back today after work. The blueberries I can freeze if I don't use right away...the soda goes fast! I bring some to work and leave some at home and I'll have to pick up some for the BF. So I will easily get another 5, if not 10. After paying full price for a 12 pack in desperation one day, I vowed to never again be without soda in the house. And with summer picnic season upon us, you can never have too much! Thanks for reminding me though, the sale ends today!!

sunflower · #15 Post by **sunflower** » Thu Jun 26, 2008 9:54 am

Never mind on the soda. Just checked the flier online, it's 5/10 starting tomorrow. I can wait a day to save $2.