The Michigan Blueberries You Love At Wickwood Inn
From warm days plucking fruit at U-pick farms to devouring Blueberry Bread Pudding at Wickwood Inn, there is nothing like embracing our local Michigan blueberries! These little blue fruits are available all around us when they’re in season. Michigan’s sandy soil, along with our wonderful climate warmed by the Lake Michigan breezes, create the ultimate growing region for our delicious blueberries.
“You’ll never regret eating blueberries or working up a sweat.”
~ Jacquelyn Mitchard
Raspberries, blackberries, sweet cherries, tart cherries and apricots, peaches, pears, apples, grapes and more are coming soon! But it’s the mighty Michigan blueberries that dominate at our local farmers’ markets, roadside stands and Wickwood’s Farm-To-Table Breakfast. Imagine 110 million pounds of blueberries! It’s a dream come true for anyone who loves this fresh delicious fruit – who doesn’t? And, yes, over 100 million pounds of blueberries are really grown, right here in Michigan, every year.
That’s right, we are the country’s leading grower of blueberries and while the extensive season starts in July, it lasts well into early fall. That is why so many happy summer memories include this delicious fruit.
When picked fresh they are a burst of pure happiness to your palate. When mixed with other ingredients they become a smorgasbord of joy. Whether complementing baked goods, healthy snacks or seasonal sauces, Michigan blueberries just make everything taste better. With their antioxidant benefits and lower calorie count, they could very well be the perfect health food.
In fact, some of the most popular dishes we serve at Wickwood Inn contain Michigan blueberries. Guests love to start the day right with our Breakfast Blueberry Pudding with Lemon Blueberry Sauce (see recipe below). Other crowd pleasers are Wickwood Inn’s Blueberry Streusel Coffee Cake, our original Blueberry Chutney and our Spicy Blueberry Syrup drizzled over our scrumptious Bismarcks. So yummy!
Michigan grows a whopping 30 different kinds of blueberries. So, it’s best to visit one of our West Michigan Farmers’ Markets if you want to taste as many as possible. Thankfully, we have many options near us in the Saugatuck area. Every couple of weeks a new varietal of the berry comes ‘into season’ to grace your plates (or bowls) at the Inn.
Some of our favorite local markets that sell blueberries include:
- Holland Farmers’ Market is on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. through the first week of December.
- South Haven Farmers Market runs Saturdays through the end of October, in addition to Wednesdays through August.
- Saugatuck Farmers’ Market at the Saugatuck Center for the Arts is held on Fridays.
- And on the first Thursday of the month swing by Virtue Cider from 6-8 p.m. to get fresh locally grown fare.
Wickwood Inn is so lucky to have such an amazing assortment of Farmers’ Markets so near us in our community. So, when you stay with us, we share it all with you! And be sure to find a way to take some of the fresh berries home with you, if you can. Most fresh fruits freeze very well. There something so wonderful about beginning a winter morning with a warm dish of Breakfast Blueberry Pudding, made from fruit you picked in the summer. It’s a beautiful reminder that Michigan’s blueberries can be enjoyed all year long.
Helpful links:
Breakfast Blueberry Pudding with Lemon Blueberry Sauce Recipe
Holland Farmers’ Market
South Haven Farmers’ Market
Saugatuck Farmers’ Market
Virtue Cider