Welcome to What's That Fruit Wednesdays! Each week, we will focus on a different fruit and provide you with all the information you need to know to get acquainted with our more unique fruit preserve offerings. This week, we are placing the spotlight on olallieberries!Another lesser known berry name unless you happen to frequent the California coastline between Pescadero and Santa Cruz where they are hailed as the King of Berries! Patented by the USDA-ARS in 1950, in conjunction with Oregon State University, after a successful cross between a Youngberry raspberry and an Black Logan blackberry, the olallieberry was actually named using the word for "berry" in Chinook jargon.
Although a cultivated berry, the olallieberry has not seen widespread commercial growth given the delicate fruit that requires handpicking making it a favorite for specialty berry growers that love getting hands-on.
A member of the berry hybrid family, and related to several delectible crosses that we will cover on subsecuent newsletters , olallieberries are red to purple in color when mature having the appearance of an elongated raspberry conical shape up to 1.5 inches long while retaining their core in the fruit when harvested like a blackberry.
Olallieberries have a strong berry flavor that leans heavier to the blackberry spectrum with a raspberry undertone that is definitely on the tart side. They are also a good source of dietary fiber and are low in calories.
Olallieberries can be used in sweet or savory dishes. Some popular recipes include jams/jellies, pies, syrups, ice creams, hard/soft candies, wines and beers.
So, whether you're looking for a new fruit to try or you're just curious about what olallieberries are, we hope this post has been helpful. Be sure to check back next week for another installment of What's That Fruit Wednesdays! In the meantime, why not try our olallieberry jam?
