I grew up near Knott's Berry Farm, located in Anaheim, CA. It was a working berry farm and in the 40's, the owners opened a few small attractions to bring in more customers. Of course over time that became the main attraction as the valuable land the farm encompassed gave way to more financially lucrative purposes. However, for me, the real attraction were the boysenberries.
Initially, we could buy boysenberry punch, jam, sauce, preserves....all made or supervised by Mary Knott in her industrial kitchen. I have never tasted a better berry. As I write this, I swear my mouth is watering. As time went by, it became harder and harder to find a store that carried the preserves. The quality eroded. Eventually, they went full corporate and the resulting product no longer even tasted like a boysenberry. 😥
I still mourn my inability to find any preserves made with those magical berries or worthy of the Knott name. Thank you for bringing me back to a reminder of how deliciously tantalizing the taste of a boysenberry is. I envy your bounty.
I love berries, too! Your essay reminds me of childhood: grazing on boysenberries with a neighbor in her uncle's yard! Inspiring, too, you are blessed to live so beautifully.
Robert- I have to admit, the first time I tried boysenberry I wasn't sure what to expect. But I have to be in the camp of those who also like all berries. Because they really *are* delicious. Hope you're well this week. Cheers, -Thalia.
This piece is bringing me right back to New Zealand. My partner is from New Zeland and we did a visit a few years back. I had never encountered them until I saw signs everywhere saying "boysenberry ice cream" and omg did it taste amazing. They are on my list for the forest garden-wherever we end up!
And yes, I agree that some things just don't make the supermarket, and we cherish them. Like autumn raspberries. They don't store well and need to be eaten on site. Eating on site is a privilege, and some sort of 4th dimension experience I feel.
I grew up near Knott's Berry Farm, located in Anaheim, CA. It was a working berry farm and in the 40's, the owners opened a few small attractions to bring in more customers. Of course over time that became the main attraction as the valuable land the farm encompassed gave way to more financially lucrative purposes. However, for me, the real attraction were the boysenberries.
Initially, we could buy boysenberry punch, jam, sauce, preserves....all made or supervised by Mary Knott in her industrial kitchen. I have never tasted a better berry. As I write this, I swear my mouth is watering. As time went by, it became harder and harder to find a store that carried the preserves. The quality eroded. Eventually, they went full corporate and the resulting product no longer even tasted like a boysenberry. 😥
I still mourn my inability to find any preserves made with those magical berries or worthy of the Knott name. Thank you for bringing me back to a reminder of how deliciously tantalizing the taste of a boysenberry is. I envy your bounty.
My wife had a similar experience with Knott’s. She was disappointed with what is has become as well.
We all have to create our own wonderful spaces to enjoy and share with friends.
I love berries, too! Your essay reminds me of childhood: grazing on boysenberries with a neighbor in her uncle's yard! Inspiring, too, you are blessed to live so beautifully.
Robert- I have to admit, the first time I tried boysenberry I wasn't sure what to expect. But I have to be in the camp of those who also like all berries. Because they really *are* delicious. Hope you're well this week. Cheers, -Thalia.
Awesome! I'm very happy ("berry" happy? lol) for you.
I also love this time of year, walking out to munch and pick. All the berries, one after another. Nature is abundant!
Looks like paradise!
Isn’t nature amazing? A 15 year old plant. Wow! Thank you for sharing your knowledge and your beautiful pictures.
This piece is bringing me right back to New Zealand. My partner is from New Zeland and we did a visit a few years back. I had never encountered them until I saw signs everywhere saying "boysenberry ice cream" and omg did it taste amazing. They are on my list for the forest garden-wherever we end up!
And yes, I agree that some things just don't make the supermarket, and we cherish them. Like autumn raspberries. They don't store well and need to be eaten on site. Eating on site is a privilege, and some sort of 4th dimension experience I feel.
Yes, picking and eating from the source ... intimacy.
One of my favourites