Major points:
- With early summer, the berry season begins, and until autumn, the entire variety of berries can be harvested, enjoyed, and processed.
- Whether ice cream or soft drinks – there are many alternatives that align with the Neatic principles.
- Berries in abundance – in their edible entirety, Neatic embraces an “all-you-can-eat” fruit approach.
Summer is berry time
Early summer is approaching, and surely you can hardly wait: Finally, the berry season begins.
Strawberries kick off the berry season. They are not called “the sweetest temptation of summer” for nothing. In June, the berry season truly reaches its peak: now raspberries, currants, and gooseberries also ripen which you can harvest until August. In midsummer, from July on, blueberries ripen, and the finale is marked by blackberries, which you can pick from August to October.
All about berries
Almost all round, small fruits are colloquially referred to as berries. However, botanically, they are often not berries. True berries are closed fruits where the pulp encloses a seed inside the berry. Currants, gooseberries, and blueberries, for example, are true berries.
The strawberry, botanically, belongs to the rose family and is an aggregate accessory fruit. The small yellow dots on the berry are the seeds, and the red flesh is actually the thickened flower base. There are over 1,000 strawberry varieties, and the smaller and redder the fruits are, the more intense their flavor.
The raspberry, an aggregate fruit, also botanically belongs to the rose family. The most well-known is the red raspberry, but there are also differently colored varieties, such as yellow and black. Raspberries have a grape-like texture, and when harvested ripe, they have a sweet, slightly tart, and intense flavor.
The red currant is a berry and belongs to the gooseberry family. The name currant comes from the ancient Greek city “Corinth”, as dried small grapes (raisins) from Corinth were called “raisins of Corinth”, which later influenced the name of the berry. The first currants ripen at the end of June. There are red, black, and white currants; they grow in clusters on the bush and have a tart flavor.
The gooseberry is also a berry and belongs – like the currant – to the gooseberry family. There are white, yellow, red, and green varieties. Gooseberries are cherry-sized and have a spicy-tart, somewhat rough flavor.
The blueberry, also called bilberry, is a berry and belongs to the heath family. Blueberries are small, blue-violet fruits with about 1-2 cm diameter. Their flavor is a mix of sweet and tart with a note of earthiness. In contrast to cultivated blueberries, wild blueberries have dark violet flesh, which turns the tongue blue when consumed. This is due to the plant pigments that also give blueberries their color.
The blackberry is an aggregate fruit and belongs to the rose family. The ripe, black fruits of the blackberry have a grape-like texture, taste sweet-tart, somewhat tangy, and the flavor slightly reminds one of the forest.
Storage and shelf life
Since the fruits only keep for a few days in the fridge, you should consume them fresh, immediately. Berries also freeze very well. After washing, you should dry the berries well and use only undamaged fruits so that they do not become mushy after thawing. The frozen fruits are shelf-stable for up to 12 months. After that, they are still edible but lose their full flavor.
Summer recipe ideas with berries
Ice cream is not just ice cream
A summer without ice cream or shakes – unthinkable. Unfortunately, many ice cream varieties hide added flavors, sweeteners, or lots of sugar. When shopping, pay attention to the ingredient list and avoid buying ice cream that contains these ingredients.
Fruit-based ice creams or frozen yogurts are a good alternative to regular ice cream and are super easy to make yourself. Use only ripe fruits because they are particularly sweet, and you will need little or no sugar.
Here you find recipe ideas for your homemade ice cream or shake:
- mixed-berry shake
- frozen yogurt ice cream
Refreshing beverages
Of course, a chilled beverage for refreshment is a must in summer. Many drinks contain added flavors, sweeteners, or large amounts of sugar which you can quickly identify from the ingredient list.
It is so easy to make a delicious refreshing drink yourself, and you have control over which ingredients are included. Why not try an infused water. Fresh ingredients, e.g., berries, are added to the water, which release their own flavor; add a few ice cubes – and your cool delicacy is ready.
You can find recipe examples here:
A delicious iced tea with many ice cubes is a wonderful thirst quencher. But beware: store-bought iced teas hide on average between 18 and 24 sugar cubes per liter. A homemade alternative is quickly prepared and tastes at least as delicious as a purchased product.
Further Neatic recipe ideas with berries can be found here:
By the way: How about picking your own berries?
There are many farms and plantations that offer the opportunity to pick your own fruit. It is a lot of fun, you can snack as you please, and select the best-looking berries. You also support local farming and spend time outdoors in nature. Give it a try!
And remember: As long as berries are consumed in their edible entirety, they are not limited within Neatic, because Neatic follows an “all-you-can-eat” fruit approach.
We wish you a great start to the berry season – enjoy and have fun!