Join us for a virtual tour of our kiwi berry fields in Oregon’s scenic Umpqua River Valley! Sunlight filters through the canopy, illuminating beautiful kiwi berries on the vines. The berries are starting to develop their characteristic blush over a green background; signaling harvest is near! As we explore under the canopy, Paul Norris, Carrie Norris, and Gage Thompson are our tour guides.
These berries are beginning to form the pretty blush color that signals we are close to harvest!
Paul Norris, who is also an MD and a farmer, discusses the health benefits of kiwi berries. They are very high in vitamins C, K, and E and rich in phytochemicals, which function similarly to antioxidants. He also explains a study that shows kiwi berries lower LDL (low-density lipoprotein), the bad cholesterol, and raise HDL (high-density lipoprotein), the good cholesterol. High HDL cholesterol levels can lower the risk of heart disease and stroke. Kiwi berries are also rich in potassium, magnesium, and fiber.
Paul Norris, MD, shows off the beautiful kiwi berry canopy!
Kiwi berries are sweet but not fuzzy like their larger cousin, the kiwifruit. Carrie Norris finds the berries more precious than their cousin, kiwifruit. She suggests waiting until the berries are squishy and soft to discover optimal flavor, even if they look a bit wrinkly. Kiwi berries are “poppable” and don’t require peeling. They work well on top of salads, in Asian dishes, or as an afternoon snack. Their sweetness makes them very popular with children.
Harvest will start September 12, arriving at retailers soon after. The harvest window is short, so watch for these sweet little gems that are only available for a limited time!
Carrie Norris enjoying the sunlight in one of our kiwi berry fields.
