Feast on Summer’s Bounty at This Weekend’s Oregon Berry Festival
Image: Flickr/Liz West
It’s fair to say that Oregon is obsessed with berries. In 2014 alone, our state produced 45.4 million pounds of blackberries. Now that berry season is in full swing, it’s time to feast on blueberries, boysenberries, raspberries, marionberries, and strawberries before they all disappear for another year.
Celebrate the start of the season by attending the 6th Annual Oregon Berry Festival, which takes place on Friday, July 15, from noon–6 p.m., and Saturday, July 16, from 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Located outside Ecotrust at Northwest 10th and Johnson, the family-friendly event boasts a blackberry pie contest, a fruit-centric farmer’s market, cooking demonstrations, and hands-on “berry science” activities led by OMSI. Best of all, admission is free!
We all love berries for their bright hues and sun-kissed sweetness, but berries are more then just a delicious snack; in fact, these superfoods contain a treasure trove of health benefits. Marionberries—which were invented 60 miles south of Portland at Oregon State University— contain high levels of ellagic acid, which is known to help prevent cancer. Blueberries have been shown to fight memory loss, and may reduce heart disease in women. Raspberries have displayed anti-inflammatory benefits, known to help with arthritis. The list of benefits goes on and on.
Eager to find new ways to embrace berry season? Marionberry lovers will love trying their hand at replicating Milk Glass Mrkt’s marionberry-fennel seed coffee cake, while strawberry fans can try our recipes for fruit compote or grilled rhubarb-strawberry crumble. No matter which berrylicious treat you choose, you can’t go wrong with summer’s super-fresh, ultra-healthy bounty!
