World's heaviest blueberry which weighs 20.4gm earns Guinness World Record
A blueberry grown in Corindi, New South Wales, has been officially recognized by the Guinness World Records as the world's heaviest. Weighing 20.4 grams and measuring 39.31 mm wide, this berry is roughly the size of a golf ball and 10 times heavier than an average blueberry! The record-breaking fruit was harvested on November 13 by Costa, a local fruit and vegetable producer led by Brad Hocking.
The making of the world's heaviest blueberry
The record-breaking blueberry is a product of Costa's Variety Improvement Program (VIP), which develops one to two new blueberry varieties annually. This particular berry belongs to the Eterna variety, known for its firmness and long shelf life. Brad Hocking, the blueberry lead at Costa, stated that this fruit was not an anomaly within its variety, with about 20 similar-sized berries present when it was picked.
The future of the record-breaking blueberry
The world's heaviest blueberry is currently preserved in a freezer, with discussions underway about casting it in resin and displaying it on a wall. Despite its size, the Eterna variety maintains excellent eating qualities, according to Brad Hocking. He also noted that there is an increasing consumer demand for larger fruit, which Costa aims to meet while improving agronomic traits like heat tolerance and resistance to pests and diseases.
Costa's commitment to quality and variety
Costa Berries, the company behind the record-breaking blueberry, is committed to developing new varieties that meet consumer demands. In addition to the Eterna variety, Costa has developed the Delight variety for low latitude production and the Arana variety with an extended production profile. George Jessett, Costa Berries' international horticulture manager, emphasized that while size is a focus of breeding programs internationally, they also prioritize firmer fruit textures, great flavor balance, and a consistent berry with a long shelf life.
Size not the sole determinant
The latest record exceeds the previous one by 4.2 grams, surpassing the 2020 Western Australian farmers' achievement of 16.2 grams. Jessett emphasized that although size is increasingly prioritized in breeding programs worldwide, it's not the sole determinant of a quality blueberry. He announced that the company would commence ramping up its production volume with the goal of supplying consumers in Australia within the next two years.
