Special Berries, Created Right Here in Oregon
It’s August, which means only one thing here in Portland: marionberry season begins! Known as the “cabernet of blackberries,” marionberries are an Oregon tradition. There was even a recent discussion about whether to make the marionberry pie the “official state pie” of Oregon!
Every summer, Oregon produces about 30 million pounds of the delightfully rich berries. They’re healthy, tasty and bake perfectly into delicious pies. Here’s a rundown of more fun facts, recipes and ideas that all feature the amazing Oregon-made marionberry!
Why Should I Eat Marionberries?
As if you need a reason! But listen – if taste isn’t enough, then it’s important to note that marionberries also have great health benefits. They are high in antioxidants, which help boost the immune system and prevent inflammation from occurring in the body.
Marionberries also contain ellagic acid, which is known to help prevent cancer, and anthocyanins, which boost your circulatory health. And one cup of marionberries meets half of your daily recommended vitamin C intake! That means you can eat twice as many. Most importantly: they make a mean pie.
Speaking of Pie: What Marionberries Were Made to Do
Although marionberry pie has been around for quite some time, there is no defined way to make it. Instead, there is a heated debate about whether or not cream cheese belongs in marionberry pie.
You be the judge. Here’s a recipe for those of us who love an extra creamy marionberry pie with cream cheese. And here is one for those of us purists—marionberry pie without the cream cheese. If you aren’t in the baking mood, come on in and let us do the hard work for you. Bipartisan Cafe has the perfect pie for every PDX occasion, and we have them gluten-free.
Want More Things You Can Do With Marionberries This Season?
So let’s say you already have a pie, but find yourself with an extra tub of marionberries hanging around. What should you do? Here are a few great ideas:
- Infuse your own vodka – Marionberry vodka can make a fantastic gift to give to your friends, or to keep in your own supply.
- Go straight for the cocktails – Add crushed marionberries to a margarita, a lemon drop, or a Moscow mule for a delicious taste of Oregon summer—with a kick!
- Make scones – Marionberries aren’t just for pie. They also add a delicious twist to every baked good, like scones or muffins.
- Stick them in the freezer – If you have too many marionberries to handle, place the washed and dried berries flat on a cookie sheet and put the whole thing in the freezer. Then, you can put them into a container and they will easily break apart when you need them.
- Make another pie. Seriously, you can never have too many.
What Will You Do to Celebrate This Marionberry Season?
Don’t let the summer months go to waste; make sure you know where to get your marionberries this season. Or at least know where you are getting your marionberry pie! Bipartisan Café in Portland serves fresh marionberry pies as well as tasty offshoots like apple or peach marionberry. We also make them gluten-free!
Pair your slice of marionberry pie with an iced latte or cold-brew, and you are in for a tasty treat. Whether you decide to dive into the world of berry-picking and pie-making yourself, or you leave it to the experts, we hope to see you soon!
If you want to know more about these bad boys of the berry world, just read our comprehensive guide to find out about their history, flavor profile, and uses: “Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Oregon Marionberries.”
