Ollalieberry

Seasons/Availability

The season for the Ollalieberry is very short, they are available for a few weeks in late spring.

Current Facts

The Ollalieberry is an aggregate fruit of genus Rubus, within the Rosaceae family. It has a battery of ancestors that contribute to its complex origins, growing abilities and characteristics. It is a cross between a blackberry a Loganberry and a Youngberry, of which both the Loganberry and the Youngberry are hybrids that were developed by berries that were cross-pollination with raspberries. The Ollalieberry is no ordinary berry, rather a unique bramble creating a whole better than the sum of its parts.

Description/Taste

The Ollalieberry has the initial appearance of an elongated blackberry, its skin tone a glossy onyx with ruby highlights. Like its parent blackberry, it does not have a hollow center, rather its stem end is closed as it remains intact when picked. The Ollalieberry is balanced in flavor, both sweet and perfectly tart, tender and juicy. As it is with most berries, its coloring will stain upon touching. The Ollalieberry's fragility when ripe make for a shortened shelf-life.

Applications

With their perfect balance of sweet and tart, Ollalieberries make superior pies and jams, tarts and ice creams. Blend them into smoothies and milkshakes, or fold them into muffins and coffee cakes. Cook down into a sweet compote to top cheesecake or ice cream. Highly perishable, use immediately upon purchase.

Ethnic/Cultural Info

"Olalli" comes from the Northwestern Native American's word for berry. Hence, when translated, Ollalieberry equals berry berry.

Geography/History

The Ollalieberry was developed by George F. Waldo in 1949 for the United States Department of Agriculture at Oregon State University. Though it was developed in Oregon, the more temperate coastal regions of California proved to be more suitable growing regions for the Ollalieberry plants and thus, it is primarily cultivated throughout Northern and Central rural areas. Ollalieberries are a very small production fruit crop compared to the common Red raspberry and blackberry, but they have a home in summer farmers markets and their ability to withstand soil and plant diseases make them a choice bramble to plant in home gardens.

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