A Small Farm In Readfield

Baking With Honey

Beekeeping for the purpose of obtaining honey is an ancient art. It possibly goes back to the early Egyptians who used honey in medicine. Honey is one of the earliest forms of sweeteners and perhaps precedes the use of cane and beet sugar. Since honeybees produce more honey than they can use, the surplus provides an excellent ingredient in baking and has many valued attributes.

Honey used in baking absorbs and retains moisture — an important quality for home baking to keep breads and cakes moist and fresh. The fructose in honey improves the browning quality. Honey can be substituted for sugar but because it is a liquid, it is necessary to reduce the amount of liquid in the recipe by one-quarter cup for each cup of honey. Honey can be used as a sweetener in canned or frozen fruits, jams and jellies and drinks.

Excerpted from a write-up Leane Reed of the R&L Berry Farm in Readfield.

by Leane H. Reed

This is an article about a small farm in Readfield, Maine. Richard and Leane Reed have lived at 22 Berry Road in Readfield for about 32 years now. People come to pick our raspberries, blueberries and blackberries. The most frequent comment we hear is, "You're the best kept secret in Readfield."

Being a secret is not what we want to be, but advertising on a small farm budget can be expensive. When we asked our pastor what we could do with our land for income, he suggested raspberries; R&L Berry Farm was established in 2002 with ten rows of raspberries and two or three bee hives. We also installed a large cooler to cool the berries for customers wanting pre-picked berries.

Raspberies are very tender and bruise easily. However, fresh berries are nature's convenience good; they need no peeling, hulling, or pitting. Fresh berries can easily store in a refrigerator for at least a week. Fresh berries can easily be frozen for use during the winter.

The red raspberries that we grow have been known to be beneficial for centuries. All berries are good, but red raspberries contain some special substances beneficial to the human body. Some of the photochemicals in raspberries are anthocyanins, quercetin, and catchins. The photochemical anthocyanins give the raspberries their red color and can act as antioxidants in providing many potential health benefits such as improving vision, controlling diabetes, improving circulation, and preventing cancer.

Studies have shown that 12 mg per 100 grams of juice reduces the release of histamine and may be effective against allergies. Catchins support the antioxidant defense system contributing to cancer prevention. Raspberries provide dietary fiber, which helps maintain a healthy gastrointestinal tract, decrease heart disease, reduce blood cholesterol levels and lower the risk of heart disease. Raspberries contain (g/100g) dietary fiber.

In 2003, R&L Berry Farm expanded to 34 rows of raspberries and approximately 150 high-bush blueberry plants and added some rhubarb. We started baking pies as well because we had to do something with the amount of frozen berries left from the crop that were unsold. Which brings me to some other question we are frequently asked, "How do I know which berries to pick?" and "What is the best way to store berries?"

Pick large or small red or deep red berries. The purplish berries are usually over-ripe and will turn to juice quickly. Cup your hand underneath the berry and gently full the fruit towards you. Do not pick the stems as you would a strawberry. The small white tube should be left with the stem. Be sure to look high and low, under and deep within the leaves to find a bounty of beautiful berries.

We recommend picking berries in our containers as other containers may encourage berries to become damaged. Your container is full when the berries reach the brim and are not falling out. The more you try to pack your container, the more likely you are to damage your berries. You should never leave your fresh berries in a hot car as they can turn to juice quickly. Do not rinse berries until ready to serve or process. Do not wash raspberries before freezing. Freeze your berries flat, as on a cookie sheet, and then place in zip lock or other freezer bags in quantities that best suit you.

In 2004, R&L Berry began making beeswax lip balm. In 2006 we began making a syrup concentrate from the raspberries, helping use our overstock. Customers noticed the blackberry canes that grow around the outside of the fence and asked if the berries were for sale. Of course, we said, "Yes." Well, the honey sales went great! We couldn't keep the honey in stock and this spring we expanded to 15 hives. This year we have also begun making home-made soaps from glycerin, hand cream from bee's wax, honey butters in seven flavors, and pine wood gift boxes.

We generally open for berry picking the first week in July and will be hiring youth ages 13 and older to pick berries for us, but all openings are dependent on the weather. It is best to call ahead. The other products are available throughout the year. Call 785-4709 or e-mail rlberry@prexar.com.

Redisplay This Article in Printer-Friendly Format

<-- Previous • Summaries • Next -->

Summertime in the Belgrades

Contents

A Small Farm In Readfield

Baking With Honey