It’s officially berry season on the central coast. Cane berries such as blackberries are a Northern California summer favorite, and among the most prized members of the blackberry family is the olallieberry. Despite its large, bumpy shape, the olallieberry’s sweet and tangy taste have garnered a near-fanatical following.
The olallieberry was developed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture at Oregon State University and became commercially available by 1950. While also cultivated in Oregon and Washington, the berry has found its ideal home along the California coast. It is a hybrid of the loganberry (a raspberry-blackberry cross) and the youngberry (a blackberry variety).
Olallieberries have a unique and complex flavor profile. They are known for their sweet and slightly tart taste, combining the best qualities of their parent berries, the loganberry and the youngberry. The flavor is often described as rich and juicy, with hints of raspberry, blackberry, and a subtle earthy undertone. This balance of sweetness and tartness makes olallieberries a delightful and refreshing summer treat, perfect for eating fresh, baking into pies, or making into jams and preserves.
Cooking with Berries
Blackberries are fairly interchangeable in recipes, however the brix (sweetness) will vary. Some varieties are more tart than others and may require a bit more sugar. Taste your berries and adjust. We also like to mix berries — raspberries, blackberries and blueberries are wonderful together in preserves or cobblers. It’s also an easy way to ‘extend’ the berries in a recipe in case you’re a bit short on one kind of berry.
Production
Olallieberry season is relatively short, and these berries are much less widely planted compared to strawberries. This limited availability adds to their allure among berry enthusiasts. You’ll find olallieberries at Prevedelli Farm’s booth this season. Other varieties of blackberries can be found at Borba Family Farms and Cortez Farms.
How to Select
When choosing olallieberries, look for plump, shiny berries, typically about an inch long. Turn the basket over and inspect the bottom for any withered, crushed, or moldy spots. Handle these delicate berries with care to avoid damaging them.
How to Store
Olallieberries are extremely perishable and do not keep well. Store them in their original baskets, uncovered, in the refrigerator at around 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Do not rinse them until just before use to maintain their freshness and flavor.
BLACKBERRY RECIPES: Click here.
