Picking Blueberries in New Orleans
by Donald E. Pszczola
Looking for cool blues?
Mini-bar prototypes demonstrate the flavor, functionality, and nutritional value of blueberries. U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council, Booth 7850, introduces this “2Bite-Bar concept” for on-the-run occasions and stand-up eating.
Chock full of real blueberries, these bite-sized bars are bursting with blueberry flavor. Blueberries keep bars moist, add mouth-watering flavor, and provide real fruit benefits and product authenticity. They can brighten gluten-free formulations, harmonize with ancient grains, work well in products ranging from sweet to savory, and help fortify products with antioxidants. And blueberries are available year-round in many convenient forms, including whole, fresh, or dried; as puree, concentrate, or juice; and freeze dried or osmotically preserved.
The versatile formats of blueberries lend themselves to many innovative blueberry concepts. Imagine, for example, Blueberry Boomer Bars. Or Blueberry Beauty Bars. Or Jelly Roll Blues Blueberry Bars. And, of course, Blueberry Mini Bars or as they might more appropriately be called, Bitty Bites.
In New Orleans, blueberries are the perfect ingredient because they are both big and easy. In fact, blueberries star on restaurant menus all over town. While attendees sample a mini-bars (or two), they can pick up a free Blueberry Restaurant Guide to New Orleans. All the dining establishments in the guide have been awarded the coveted “Five Blueberries” rating for their great blueberry dishes. These might include sauces, baked goods, desserts, smoothies, and other menu items.
The brochures lists such dining establishments as Alex Patout’s Louisiana Restaurant, Bourbon House, Commander’s Palace, Cuvee, Emeril’s New Orleans, La Cote Brasserie, Mat & Naddie’s, NOLA, and Palace Café. For convenience, each restaurant is provided with an address, phone number, website, business hours, and driving directions from the Morial Convention Center. With this information, attendees can easily go on a tour to pick blueberries in New Orleans.
Happy picking!