You know what they say about your food preference determined by your first experience of it? If your first ever taste of something wasn’t fantastic, that will most likely be the impression for the rest of your life. Well, that is until you get a taste of how GOOD it can be.
I’ve never liked blueberries. Perhaps those I’ve tried are always sour and small, and worse are those inside and atop blueberry cakes glazed over with some gooey blueberry gel-like liquid. Oh my, I shudder at the thought of it. 🙁
The experience at Yokohama Asahi Blueberry Forest changed my idea of blueberries forever. It was the first time I saw blueberries not in boxes or cakes, but in their most natural state – on trees! And they were large and super sweet!
The adorable Japanese farmer shared with us that over 1000 Highbush and Rabbiteye blueberry bushes are cultivated in the farm, in a naturally sustainable way, free of pesticides and fertilizers. Netting is draped over the bushes to protect them from birds. Visitors are encouraged to experience the farming experience of picking their own blueberries.
Pro Tip: Try a dark blueberry from a tree first. If it’s to your liking, pick the large ones from the whole bush. Most likely you will end up eating as many as you pick along the way BAHAHA. You know how we usually avoid blueberries with white patches? Apparently they’re a sign of freshness, the more white patches the sweeter! The pink ones are cute, but they're babies and not ripe for harvesting yet.
After we were satisfied with our blueberry haul, we adjourned to the farm café, a cosy little place that serves homemade blueberry muffins, smoothie, ice cream and more! I can’t believe I’m saying this but I LOVED the blueberry muffin and blueberry smoothie. Only the freshest ingredients can make such delicious blueberry muffins.
Here's a simple recipe to make blueberry ice-cream:
Ingredients:
300g frozen blueberries
30g sugar
200ml heavy cream
Directions:
Blend in a food processor and DONE! 😀 Super easy!
My precious box of blueberries lasted me for the rest of the trip. I had them for breakfast, as a snack, supper. It’s a pity they couldn’t survive the trip home (and there weren’t many left anyway lol) otherwise the blueberry lover back at hone would have loved them very much.
Also check out the other interesting places I went to on this trip:
Carving Toothpicks Like A Ninja
Going Commando At Japanese Onsen
My 10 First Experiences In Japan
