How Berry Much Do You Know?
Happy Saturday!
Yes, we know school’s out for the week, but we decided to give you a little test anyway.
(Don’t worry, it should be a snap for you =)
Just how much do you know about our favorite subject? (That answer is easy, berries of course!)
How about taking just a few minutes and checking yourself with a few quick questions?
Ready?
Which of these fruits is a member of the berry family?
Currants
Kiwi
Grapes
All of the Above
True or False:
All berries are grown on bushes.
The best way to keep berries fresh is to:
Refrigerate them
Wait to wash them until you’re ready to eat them
Eat as soon as possible
All of the above
What temperature are berries held at while being shipped from the farm to the store?
Room temperature
Below freezing
32-33 degrees F
True of False:
The powdery coating sometimes found on berries (especially blueberries) is harmful and can indicate rot.
True or False:
Small strawberries are sweeter than larger ones.
Most berries grown in the US come from:
Washington
California
Texas
The Midwest
So how do you think you did? Want to change any answers before you check?
Here we go:
Which of these fruits is a member of the berry family?
All the above
Currants, grapes, and even kiwis are all considered to be berries.
T/F: All berries are grown on bushes.
False. Berries grow on a variety of plant structures: bushes/shrubs (blueberries and cranberries), canes (raspberries, blackberries, and boysenberries), vines (grapes and kiwis), trees (mulberries), and low-to-the-ground plants (strawberries).
The best practice for keeping berries fresh is to:
All the above
Highly perishable, berries need to be consumed in a timely manner and cared for properly until then; otherwise they’re prone to getting moldy, soft, or otherwise spoiled.
What temperature are berries typically held at while in transit from the farm to the store?
32-33°F
Berries, which are perishable and sensitive to temperature, are rapidly chilled to around 32-33°F shortly after picking in order to prolong their shelf life and reduce spoilage.
T/F: The soft, powdery coating sometimes present on berries like blueberries (called bloom) is harmful to the berry and can indicate rot.
False. While bloom has little bearing on flavor, its presence is a good indication that the berries are fresh. It’s a part of the berries’ natural defense mechanism against harsh sun rays.
T/F: Small strawberries are sweeter than larger ones.
False. Size has little bearing on how sweet strawberries are. Instead, look for unbruised strawberries with a strong floral fragrance and a red color from tip to stem.
Most berries grown in the US come from:
California
About 60 percent of berries, both conventional and organic, are grown in California.
So how did you do? We’d love to hear your score (who doesn’t love bragging rights?)
From the HBF Family to you, class dismissed!