Arbequina Olive Tree - Berries of Miami

Arbequina Olive Tree

20'tall by 12' branches

Originally from Spain, the arbequina is a delicious, self fertile and aromatic olive eaten when the fruit turns black or dark brown. It handles cold well, zoned for 7-10, and has become the dominant producer for California Olives. The name is from the village it became famous in Arbeca. Yet its roots are from Israel and Palestine area. The Arbequina loves long, hot and dry summers and is frost-hardy and pest resistant. The tree can adjust to almost any soil, but thrives in alkaline. It is a high producer and starts in November. Although it is marketed as a table olive, for eating, it has one of the highest oil contents 20-22%. The fruit has a buttery, light flavor and is high in polyunsaturated fat which doesn't allow it to stay as long as other olives. The fruit is better eaten fresh or within a few days if eaten fresh. Grow in Full sun, well drained soil allow soil to dry between waterings and fertilize in the fall with compost and manure.

Curing Olives: (Brining)

 1. Place Olives in cold water for ten day. (Keep the water fresh) use a strainer in a bucket to keep the olives under water.

2. Make up brine 1 cup non-iodized salt to 1 gal. cold water. Drain the olives and place them in the brine. Make enough brine to completely cover the olives. Let the olives sit for a week and repeat the process three more times, for a total of four weeks and four brine mixtures.

3. At the end of the fourth week make a weaker brine solution of 1/2 a cup of non-iodized salt to one gal. cold water. Olive taste improves as the cure in brine. They will be ready after 2-3months depending on your taste. You can also add four bay leaves and a few strips of lemon zest for additional flavor.

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Vendor Sale March 2nd

Berries of Miami and Backyard Palms are once again joining together for the King's Christian School Vendors sale Saturday March 2nd. Come by our booth as we will have a variety of fruiting trees and plants. Peaches, mulberry varieties, black raspberry and pomegranate to name a few. Due to popular demand we will also add mango, lychee and star fruit to our stock. We will have multiple sizes and species of everything present. Be sure to come check us out.

Kings Christian School /
Southwest Community Church
8951 sw 44th st
Miami, Fl 33165
305223-3816

Vendor spots are still available as well.

Black Raspberry - Berries of Miami

Common name: Mysore Raspberry
Botanical name: Robus niveus
Temperatures: 20F (though originates from the Himalayas does great in S.Fl)

One of our Black Raspberry Plants w/ fruit

This is a prolific producer, in full sun it will give you fruit almost year round (if there is a warm winter). It likes moist ground but not drenched roots. The best pruning time is winter as production slows or ceases and the plant may go dormant as most berries do. Radical pruning can be done with little effect when done in winter. Typically I do not fertilize my berries, other than barbados cherries that need a by-monthly, but 5-10-5 is recommended or use cow manure which is always the best option.  

Health Benefits
Black Raspberries contain an extremely dark pigment which allows them to be used as a colorant and gives black raspberries one of the highest antioxidant ratings in common fruits and berries. Rich in ellagic acid, anthocyanins and antioxidants, black raspberries have been called the “king of berries” for their superior health benefits.

Studies at Ohio State University have found significant decreases in colon tumors in rats and esophageal tumors in mice fed a diet with black raspberries. In vitro studies have shown that extracts of raspberries and blackberries may slow the growth of breast cervical, colon and esophageal cancers. Human clinical trials are underway to assess the effects of black raspberries on colon and esophageal cancers in humans.

• The king of berries in terms of health benefits.Has an extremely high overall level of phenolic compounds compared to other berries.
• Phenolic compounds such as ellagic acid, gallic acid and rutin contribute to the health benefits of black raspberries.
• Contains high levels of anthocyanins, which give them their rich, dark color. Anthocyanins work as antioxidants that help fight free radical damage in the body. The anthocyanin level of black raspberries is 214-589 mg/100g.
• Antioxidant levels of food is sometimes measured as ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorption Capacity). The ORAC level of black raspberries is 77 µmoles /TE/g, about three times higher than blueberries, a very powerful antioxidant.
• Black raspberries are rich in ellagic acid. Ellagic acid is a phenolic compound known to be a potent anticarcinogen, anti-viral and anti-bacterial. The ellagic acid level of black raspberries is 5.37 mg/g of dry weight.
• University studies are underway to determine black raspberries' ability to slow the growth of certain cancers. In vitro studies show that extracts of raspberries and blackberries may slow or reverse the growth of breast, cervical, colon, oral and esophageal cancers.
• Studies at Ohio State University showed a 60–80 % reduction in colon tumors in rats fed a diet with black raspberries added.
• Studies at Ohio State University showed an 80% reduction in esophageal cancers in mice fed a 5-10% diet of black raspberries.
• Scientists from Ohio State University are now conducting human clinical trials into the effects of black raspberries on colon and esophageal cancer in humans.
• Black raspberries continue to generate a high level of interest from research scientists due to their potent antioxidant and anti-cancer properties.
• Source: Oregon Raspberry & Blackberry Commission 

Antioxidant levels, shown in terms of their oxygen radical absorption capacity (ORAC), are a measure of a substance's ability to absorb oxygen free radicals. Oxygen free radicals can damage DNA, cause cellular change, oxidize LDL cholesterol, and cause premature mental aging. Consuming foods high in antioxidants helps prevent cancer, heart disease, stroke, and possibly Alzheimer's Disease.