Blueberry book gets American attention

ATitahi Bay woman’s blueberry- themed cookbook is getting international attention as she prepares to release a second edition.

Glenis Thomas said blueberry farms in the United States had contacted her about the latest edition of her book, Make Every Day Bluelicious.

The second edition will be published in metric and imperial measurements.

‘‘I want to make the second edition a book that can be used anywhere,’’ she said.

She said she planned to release it in the United States later this year.

Mrs Thomas said her love of blueberries began after visiting Sandy Cooper’s Bluebank Blueberry and Emu Farm in Akatarawa.

‘‘I thought, ‘Now this is a fabulous little berry. I’ve got to find a way to show people the amazing things you can make with blueberries.’’’

Mrs Thomas really got serious about blueberries when she started writing the cookbook four years ago.

At the time she was running a Faberge decorative eggs business, but had to stop after getting sick with chronic fatigue and depression.

‘‘I wondered what I could do when I wasn’t well and able to do that. ‘‘I’m not one to sit still.’’ It took her 20 months to put the book together because she researched every type of blueberry bush in the world before writing it.

She said the book featured 130 recipes from around the world. Thirty are her own creations.

Mrs Thomas said one of the benefits of baking with blueberries was that they provided antioxidants and health benefits. ‘‘They are just so good for you.’’ She said with the blueberry season upon us, it was the perfect time for people to go pick their own berries for baking.

Make Every Day Bluelicious,