U-Pick Fruits—Fresh, Ripe, and Fun

Summer is finally here and so is an abundance of fresh fruit. In the central valley of California where I live, when triple-digit temperatures appear, we know that means fruit is ready for picking. Nothing says “summer” more than eating a slice of juicy watermelon or a sweet, melt-in-your-mouth peach.

U-pick (you pick your own fruit) is the best way to get the freshest and ripest fruits from the growers directly. Most fruit we buy from the supermarket were picked before they ripen, in order for them to transport well and last for awhile on the shelves. Many studies have shown that fruits which are picked ripe contain more nutritional value compared to their counterparts which ripen on the store shelves. Even if the health studies or long scientific names of nutrients don’t interest you, your own taste buds will tell you the difference. Fresh fruit just tastes so much better than most store-bought produce.

The typical stone fruits, such as apricots, peaches, and plums, are the quintessential summer treats. Peaches have a great aroma and pleasing taste. They go well with ice cream, milkshakes, smoothies, pancakes, and waffles. And summer fruit is a great addition to any salad.

While the well-known summer fruits grab all the attention, don’t miss out on other healthy choices. Blueberries are an early summer fruit rich in antioxidants. They have a picking season of three to four weeks. Every summer, my family takes a trip to Apple Hill’s Sun Mountain Farm to pick our blueberries. Apple Hill, located in the Sierra foothills, is a community of fruit ranches and farms. They are best known for their delicious apples, due to the wonderful California sunlight, rich soil, and long winter chilling season. While apples are still the main fruit here, many ranches also have local summer fruits at their stands.

This year California had a wet winter and summer started late. The blueberry-picking season didn’t start until the very end of June. (Check with your local farms for exact ripening time.) During the Fourth of July weekend, we drove to Apple Hill early in the morning. Prepared with light-colored clothing, big rim hats, and plenty of suntan lotion to battle the summer heat, we set off to the blueberry fields. A few hours of hard work resulted in buckets of fresh and ripe blueberries. They taste even sweeter after our own hard work.

The reward is not only eating the blueberries, but also in a day spent outdoors, with beautiful scenery, clean air, and the quiet sounds of chirping birds. It’s very educational for kids to see how food is grown and harvested. Enjoy the outdoors and spend some quality time with your family by making a u-pick trip this summer!

The best resource I found to search for a u-pick farm near you is www.pickyourown.org. You can find farms all over the U.S., and even other countries.

If u-pick is not your cup of tea, or you just don’t want to battle the summer heat, go to a local farmers market or fruit stand. Check www.localharvest.org for a farmers market near you.