An Australian farm has shattered the world record for the largest blueberry. The farm produces a fruit comparable in size to a ping-pong ball. The blueberry weighed a substantial 20.4g, dominating the average blueberry by tenfold.Harvested in November and preserved in a freezer, this extraordinary blueberry measured nearly 4cm in diameter.
The previous record was held by a 16.2g berry from Western Australia. However, this new record-breaker is from a variety cultivated by the Costa Group. The blueberry to satisfy consumer preferences for larger berries.
Brad Hocking, the lead horticulturist, revealed that the Eterna variety consistently produces sizable fruit. Still, the recent growing conditions at their Corindi farm in northern New South Wales spurred an exceptional harvest. While the team had spotted several promising candidates on their trees, the true extent of their discovery was only realized upon weighing.
“We were absolutely stoked,” Hocking shared with the BBC. “It wasn’t until they hit the scales that we understood the magnitude of our find.”
Indeed, on that morning alone, they harvested over 20 berries that could have each set a new world record. After a 12-week verification process, Guinness World Records officially recognized their berry as the heaviest on record.
As for the taste of such a monumental blueberry? Hocking admits they chose not to indulge in this particular specimen, opting instead to enjoy its equally impressive but slightly smaller counterparts.
“We enjoy a second breakfast every day… there was no need to consume this one,” he remarked.
The farm is now contemplating the berry’s fate, with suggestions ranging from creating a resin cast for display to other commemorative ideas.
Despite their size, Hocking assures that the Eterna berries do not sacrifice flavor. “Eating such a large berry is indeed a different experience,” he says. “They’re more of a snack than an ingredient for traditional breakfasts or baking. But rest assured, they’re just as flavorful and firm, with a satisfying crunch.”
