For some time now, great leaps forward have been accomplished with blueberries, which are being renewed with new generations of patented genetics. The industry is always searching for attributes such as yield, to obtain a more profitable production, or obtain more attractive fruit for consumers in taste, looking for a greater sweetness or a good balance between sweetness and acidity.
This search includes achieving greater fruit firmness, which is known to be obtained from genetics and good postharvest practices, and finally achieving a more visually attractive fruit. For the producer, achieving these factors not only ensures the success of his investment, but it is an achievement that will probably assure him the permanent loyalty of consumers.
Compared to the varieties Northern Highbush, the transition or varietal change in blueberries Southern highbush It has been much faster, and is the protagonist of the expansion of cultivation to new regions of the world.
Size is by no means an indicator of quality, less of taste, so consumers take a risk every time they buy blueberries, unless they know of certain brands or retailers that always meet their expectations. In this perspective, berry brands are creating their own stratification. In the case of the retailer, the stratification could be described in two or three levels, comprising "standard", "premium" and "jumbo" blueberries. There are examples of initiatives in the UK, Europe and now also in the US to draw attention to blueberries with higher standards for size, firmness and flavor.
Source: blueberriesconsulting.com