One single plant has produced around £100 worth of redcurrants this year. I was somewhat amazed to find a few more the other day at the tail end of September. Tasted amazing. Thoroughly recommend a redcurrant plant for 2016.
Redcurrants from surrey
Redcurrants from surrey
Redcurrants from surrey
Redcurrants from surrey
Redcurrants from surrey
Blueberries are one of the few fruits that are native to North America and In terms of U.S. fruit consumption, blueberries rank only second to strawberries in popularity of berries. The US cultivates around half of all global consumption of blueberries with another 30% from Canada. Maine produces around 25% of all US cultivation of blueberries.
Cultivation of blueberries was widespread among the Native American tribes throughout North America. European colonists learned about blueberries thanks to these Native American traditions and brought blueberry species back to Europe. Yet commercial cultivation of blueberries in Europe has been a relatively recent phenomenon limited to the 20th and 21st centuries. Thanks to increasing cultivation in the Southern Hemisphere — including South American countries such as Chile, Argentina, and Uruguay as well South Africa, New Zealand and Australia — fresh blueberries are now enjoyed throughout the year on many of the world’s continents.
One interesting current trend in history of blueberries has been their dramatically increased consumption within the U.S. In 1997, the average U.S. adult consumed about 13 ounces of blueberries per year. Ten years later, in 2007, that amount nearly doubled and reached an average level of 22 ounces.
There are plenty of myths about eating blueberries but there is little doubt of one fact that simply they are good for you. They have one of the highest antioxidant capacities amongst all fruit. Blueberries are a good source of vitamin K. They also contain vitamin C, fibre, manganese and other antioxidants (notably anthocyanins). Valued for its high levels of antioxidants, some nutritionists believe that if you make only one change to your diet, it should be to add blueberries.A number of clinical studies have tried to prove that eating blueberries reduces cancer rates, heart attacks, strokes and other cardiovascular disorders. Also helpful is that we can freeze blueberries without doing damage to their delicate anthocyanin antioxidants|.
To prove a huge health benefit such a reduction in deaths or longer life expectancy might be difficult in a trial situation as all these illnesses have multiple causes. But will you live longer if you eat blueberries? Probably yes you will.
Blueberries
The redcurrant (or red currant), Ribes rubrum, is a member of the genus Ribes in the gooseberry family , native to parts of western Europe (Belgium, Great Britain ,France, Norway, Sweden, Germany, Netherlands, northern Italy, northern Spain, Portugal and Poland). They tend to grow best in coll regions with abundant moisture. More importantly right now they grow in my surrey garden. A single plant (like mine) can produce up to 2.5kg. What however many are not aware of, including myself till recently, is that redcurrants are prohibited in many USA states. For example they cannot be shipped to North Carolina, New Hampshire, West Virginia. Other states like Delaware and Massachusetts insist on a permit. Some states prohibit them in certain counties/areas, for example Maine and New Jersey. The federal government had banned the growing of black and red currants in 1911 when the burgeoning logging industry put pressure on lawmakers to eliminate the currants because they were thought to be an intermediate host of white pine blister rust. New disease-resistant varieties of currants were later developed and in 1966 the government left it up to the states to lift the ban. Quinn persuaded New York state to lift the ban in 2003.In 1933, Pennsylvania passed a law that limited growing gooseberries and currants in certain areas; however, the law is not enforced. Therefore, all Ribes can be grown in the state. Many USA citizens are unfamiliar with currants generally including redcurants, although New Yorkers grew 2,700 acres of them in the 1920s.
The reasons are quite historical. In the early 1900s, the federal and state governments outlawed the growing of currants and gooseberries to prevent the spread of white pine blister rust (Cronartium ribicola). This fungal disease attacks both Ribes and white pines, which must live in close proximity for the blister rust fungus to complete its life cycle. Although the federal ban was rescinded in 1966, some northern states as above do still prohibit the planting or cultivation of currants. In 2003 though, New York State passed a law that modified its ban to allow commercial growers and home gardeners to legally grow red currants, gooseberries and immune or resistant cultivars of black currants throughout New York State.
New disease-resistant varieties of currants were later developed and in 1966 the government left it up to the states to lift the ban. Quinn persuaded New York state to lift the ban in 2003.It is good news that production is slowly returning in USA as redcurrants are undoubtedly healthy fruit. After all, red and black currants have four times more vitamin C than oranges and twice the antioxidants of blueberries.
Redcurrants
Copyright Chris Bushe 2015
Redcurrants
Copyright Chris Bushe 2015
Redcurrants
Copyright Chris Bushe 2015
Redcurrants
Copyright Chris Bushe 2015
Redcurrants
Copyright Chris Bushe 2015
Redcurrants
Copyright Chris Bushe 2015
Redcurrants
Copyright Chris Bushe 2015
Redcurrants
Copyright Chris Bushe 2015
Redcurrants
Copyright Chris Bushe 2015
Lilacs have been naturalized in Europe (UK, France, Germany, Italy, etc.) as well as much of North America.Lilacs were introduced to USA in the 1750’s .Rochester, N.Y. undoubtedly is the Lilac Capital of the World. It’s love for Lilacs dates back to 1892, when Highland Park horticulturalist John Dunbar planted 20 varieties and is the scene of an annual, two week long Lilac Festival, with over a half a million people attending the event each year. This park has over 500 varieties of lilacs. However there are in fact over 1000 different varieties. In 2006 New York State Governor George Pataki proclaimed the Lilac as the State bush.
I seem to have two plants in my garden grown from small plants sent by post bought from the Daily Telegraph. And them seem to have done well.
Lilacs in New Malden. Copyright Chris Bushe
Lilacs in New Malden. Copyright Chris Bushe
Lilacs in New Malden. Copyright Chris Bushe
Lilacs in New Malden. Copyright Chris Bushe
Lilacs in New Malden. Copyright Chris Bushe
Lilacs in New Malden. Copyright Chris Bushe
Lilacs in New Malden. Copyright Chris Bushe
Lilacs in New Malden. Copyright Chris Bushe
Lilacs in New Malden. Copyright Chris Bushe
Not everyone has heard of rapeseed despite its unfortunate name.Rapeseed oil was produced in the 19th century as a source of a lubricant for steam engines.Rapeseed is grown for the production of animal feed, vegetable oil for human consumption, and biodiesel .According to the United States Department of Agriculture, rapeseed was the third-leading source of vegetable oil in the world in 2000 with Canada and China being the top producers.
Rapeseed pollen contains known allergens. Whether rape pollen causes hay fever has not been well established, because rape is an insect-pollinated (entomophilous) crop, whereas hay fever is usually caused by wind-pollinated plants. The inhalation of oilseed rape dust may cause asthma in agricultural workers.
In the UK around May the fields do look stunning in their bright yellow colours. These fields are just outside Middlesbrough
Rapeseed Fields
Just a various eclectic mix of food photos taken in various locations. Nothing special. Just enjoy and be hungry.
Coconut Tart
Sliders and Beef Wellingtons
Having been abandoned in the centre of Indianapolis for a few hours, like a wandering Bill Bryson, walking around just looking. So what did I find today? Well I maybe found the most ridiculous advert of all time outside the window of a cafe. Certainly stopped me in my tracks, if that was the purpose, but also for the same reason stopped me going in. If this was a pharmaceutical advertisement it would not be allowed under the “fair and balanced” tag.
The second unusual thing was a sign. What are these unspecified loud noises? What about the nice kind birds and not the pest birds? How can they differentiate from them? I can think of many loud noises that would deter lots of birds,people and maybe other inaminate objects. For example some the football “singing”, that would certainly work. Maybe some Justin Bieber music?
Then there is the steam that emanates from all drains in Indianapolis. What were my findings today? Well firstly the steam does not smell. Secondly it looked like a re-make of that film “The Fog” in places. Thirdly, outside the equivalent I think of the County Council offices there was a sign eulogising ” no smoke”. Sadly also they forgot to ban steam.
Lastly the steam issue. Clearly steam is a business here like New York. Citizens thermal kind of says just that. A little like Reykjavik in Iceland where the warm water is pumped to provide heating to thousands of houses, and the geothermal water although provided free by nature, is certainly not free to the humble paying customer.
Then the steam itself. Quite impressive. The first time I have regretted this trip not bringing my main camera and having to make-do with an I Phone camera.
Then finally. A usual issue, large USA portion size. You order an omellette and along comes another two meals. All nice and good. But a 3-egg omelette is maybe big enough, but combined with half a loaf of sourdough bread , cleverly disguised as 4 slices of toast heavily buttered. And a decent size portion of fruit too. Then unlimited coffee, which happened to be Blueberry Crumble flavoured, curious choice but a good choice. Finally the offer to also have a takeaway coffee, maybe to put me over the DSM-5 limit for caffeineism. But excellent quality and all served by a Selena Gomez lookalike………so did she get a tip yes. But most unlike UK she actually entered into a meaningful discussion with me, enetrtained me and seemed/was genuinely interested in what I had to say. Which made simple was do not go near UK and go to Amsterdam instead………
So Indianapolis. Average, no. Curious, yes. So many facets to USA. The most troubling one for me is the almost “fake” attitude of servers and hotel staff. The ” have a nice day” and ” I can make that happen Sir”………this is nonsense of the ultimate kind. No-one falls for this. The other troubling habit is to have to wear huge name badges all the time, in the meeting, in the lift, in the bar, in the restaurant, and I suspect, in bed too. And I mean huge badges. Almost as though they have forgotten their names so the foot size badge gives them a clue. The other thing is the class divide. The customers do not treat the bar staff with as much respect as maybe in UK. I guess a money thing.
Indianapolis is actually an interesting and under rated city, the obvious capital of Indiana. Full of bars and restaurants but maybe lacking a little of that extra excitement that comes with some other large USA cities. Nevertheless a good place to visit. Having today a little time to stroll around and see things in temperatures that at best were freezing and at worst well below with serious wind chill factor to add in.
Some curious things to report. Firstly in this weather the denizens of Indianapolis are being exhorted to sit outside to eat and drink their food and beer, not only that but on the corner of two busy streets.
Then as always there is portion size to consider. Something I clearly did not do well today. A cinnamon roll that could feed a family seemed to fall into a bag and then into my mouth for a mere 2 dollars. Every food item here really is twice the size that the same things are in UK, and often twice as nice too.
Drains. Not the normal topic of my blog nor frankly my interests but having seen what looked like a large smoke bomb in the street I took a look. Steaming drains. Seems like a quick review of this topic reveals no clear answer here but in New York they channel steam underground . Manhattan has 100 miles of mains and pipes making up the service system there. Public acceptance of steam as a form of energy goes as far back as 1888 when a severe blizzard caused havoc that other forms of heat were quite literally powerless to be used. The first steam plant was also in operation there in 1882 a full 6 years before the first electrical service. As far as Indianapolis goes there seems no clear answer but one presumes steam and not pollution is the reason.
Indiana is not typically regarded as a holiday destination. But maybe this is unfair. A few days here and it seems that as long as you try not to eat three times a day, a crazy activity, things are actually rather nice. The people are friendly, except the axe-wielding receptionist in one hotel, a look of fury on her face as she sat nailed to the chair trying to avoid her only job, giving out the key and smiling, whilst muttering something that may or may not have come from ” The Shining” from Jack Nicolson. A big difference though between her and Jack, he had the better looks, she had the better axe. She was rapidly named “The Innkeeper”. The rest are friendly. The weather is good, warm and great to sit outside, except in ” authentic mexican restaurants” where the inside temperature approaches that at the arctic circle and it is obligatory to sit outside, even if it were snowing. Nashville is a cute place, maybe a couple too many of those ” antique type” shops, but an OK place to stroll around. The autumn colours are beautiful . The roads quiet mostly, except parking is a curious activity in Nashville. Indianapolis itself is a city sure, but full of actually quite tasteful looking buildings. The architecture is more interesting than one might think. The only irritation is in the hotel where the level of service approaches obsequiosness . Every person asking you to have ” a nice day”. I feel like saying, no thanks, I already have a nice Day. But all their exhortations are so false. If in UK anyone did say that, outside of a hotel, it would be genuine, here it seems like a tick on their PM document. Do not like it at all. When checking in I was seriously asked if I wanted to be walked to the lift by the receptionist. The lift was maybe 10 yards away and was easily identifiable by the sign saying…..elevator.
So sitting here at sunset. The views over Indianapolis are truly pleasant. The food was free. Things are really not too bad at all.
Nashville
Indianapolis Skyline
The volume of food continues to amaze me. For example a lunch order of what I understood to be strips of chicken with salad arrived, and it was actually very nice eaten with great company, but it was covered with about half a pound of crumbled blue cheese. So salad yes, healthy option, to impress my dining companion, became a calorific disaster zone from which I may need medications to elevate my HDL. But it does not stop there, oh no. Pots of strange sauces, the one that was earmarked for me looked like a sort of cocktail sauce. Around a litre……I exaggerate , but not by much. And just when I thought this meal size was looking vaguely normal otherwise…..4 bread rolls in a basket. So a salad turns into something you would go to Weightwatchers for a month to try and recuperate from. This lunch meal I did survive. Then around 4 hours later the executive lounge here ( sounds grand but equals free food and drink in UK and only free food here) serves what they term ” Hors D’oeuvres”. Now here I want to show you how the various dictionaries define ” Hors D’oeuvres”. This is your selection:
1. A small savory dish, typically one served as an appetizer at the beginning of a meal.
2.A small bit of appetizing food, as spicy meat, fish, cheese, or a preparation of chopped or creamed foods, often served on crackers or small pieces of toast, for eating at cocktail parties or other gatherings where drinks are served with no other food.
3.An appetizer, as a relish or more elaborate preparation, served before or as the first course of a meal.
So you get the drift. Something small and tasty. OK. Here in JW Marriott the take a different approach, a generous one. Firstly a hugely enthusiastic lady was exhorting me at 5.20 pm to prepare to eat. Not usual in New Malden. The selection was, and I was informed the expectation of the norm was to have everything. Here goes- sliders ( these are mini-burgers maybe 2 is a normal burger, a USA thing but creeping into UK), mini beef wellingtons, spicy humous, various crackers and chips, salads, cheeses, bread and a few litres of dips and sauces. So it is fair to say this concoction does not represent a ” small bit of appetising food”. For me this is good, no need to have an expensive dinner. For others, maybe most here, this really is a prelude to the feast called dinner. So I really do not think that folks here ever stop eating. I think maybe I need to come and live here but would be regarded as “odd” for not consuming 5000 calories a day. So another nice Day. I certainly have one.
A small USA breakfast
Sliders and Beef Wellingtons
chris1957
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