Why One Rainy State Grows The Most Blueberries

Indigenous to North America, blueberries grow from sea to shining sea. However, a few pockets of the U.S. are especially ideal for growing this berry. Blueberries thrive in direct sunlight but prefer a milder summer as they don't flourish quite as well in extreme heat. It's very important that their soil stays moist, though they are able to handle cold spells in the winter. In fact, blueberry bushes generally need around 750 hours of temperatures below 45 degrees Fahrenheit to fully prosper.

These requirements make the Pacific Northwest an impressively ideal cultivation ground, as the region's warm summers give the berries the sunlight they need, while consistent rainfall allows the soil to remain rich and wet. As a result, the rainy state of Washington manages to grow the most blueberries in the United States, with an estimated 180 million pounds grown in 2021.

Washington not only produces approximately 20% of the United States' blueberries, but it's also responsible for cultivating over 85% of the country's organic blueberries. After these lush berries are picked around 40% are sold fresh, while the remaining 60% are frozen, allowing them to be relished for strikingly longer like many other best fruits to buy in frozen form. These blueberries can be enjoyed in a vast variety of ways, from easily upgrading boxed blueberry muffins to adding a bit of fresh flavor to crispy waffle iron croissants.

Although Washington wears the blueberry crown, California is the leader in total produce production in the U.S., having even earned the title of top food producer in the U.S. The Golden State credits its hospitable crop-growing environment to its fantastic irrigation system that allows farmers to pump water from natural resources and manmade features such as reservoirs, to irrigate over 9 million acres of crops as needed.

California is home to over 400 diverse crops including asparagus, apricots, avocados, figs, garlic, and lemons. On top of that, there are more than a dozen produce types (including almonds, celery, and kiwis) that are very nearly exclusively sourced in California, meaning that California officially grows over 99% of that specific crop in the U.S. Sunny California's mild winters and balmy, dry summers make it an ultimate agriculture hotspot.

Even so, California's warmer year-round temperatures make it a less than ideal place for blueberries. Certain berries are able to flourish in California, though, as strawberries and raspberries are grown here, with California serving as the nation's top raspberry producer. Whichever colorful fruit you find and favor be sure to efficiently store your berries to keep them fresh for as long as possible. And next time you're in the produce aisle, take a look at the origin of the food you're purchasing. The location might surprise you.