tex-mex on the grill

Who knew there were so many varieties of blueberries? On Shannon and Robert Auton’s 22-acre blueberry farm just north of Auckland they grow 10 different types of blueberries, all with slightly different ripening seasons so they can get a continuous supply from November through to early April.

The trick to knowing if the berries are ripe to pick involves rolling them over your thumb to see if they come off the branch – it’s harder than you think!

Who would have thought something so delicious would be so good for you? Recent studies at Tufts University in the USA put blueberries in the category of a miracle berry. Half a cup per person per day has the ability to reverse the onset of Alzheimers and reduce or reverse the rigours of old age, such as arthritis and skin ageing. Bring it on!

One for the bucket and one for me! It’s really hard not to eat them as you pick – they are just so sweet and tasty.

Blueberries like acidic, free-draining soil, so the peat they grow on here is perfect. It takes four to five years from planting blueberries for the fruit to be ready and each variety has a slightly different flavour.

Blueberries keep really well in the fridge – I have kept them successfully for more than three weeks. They also freeze well and don’t lose liquid when they thaw like raspberries and blackberries do.

No matter what the job, it’s definitely hot weather out here. Picking berries in the heat of the summer sun is exhausting.

Bees are so important here, and in any orchard, to ensure pollination. Having an organic system makes it much safer for the bees as they don’t get exposed to any chemicals. If there is a bug breakout it tends to affect just one blueberry variety so the entire crop is not lost or put at risk.

I never need an excuse to celebrate! My favourite part of the show is when we get to have some fun with local friends and enjoy the food that I've gathered and prepared.