When talking about blueberries, it's hard not to think of Violet Beauregarde in the movie "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory."

She's the spoiled, bratty girl who chews a piece of experimental bubble gum and gradually turns blue and round until she becomes a humongous blueberry.

With all the talk of "going green," maybe it would do everyone a bit of good to "go blue."

The blueberry has experienced an upswing in popularity, because of recent research that links it to reducing the risks of certain types of cancer and the slowing of age-related loss in mental capacity.

"They are kind of a wonder food," said Cynthia York-Camden, Dietitian at Heartland Regional Medical Center in Marion. "They're packed with anti-oxidants."

Antioxidants are thought to help protect the body against the damaging effects of free radicals and the chronic diseases associated with the aging process. Fresh fruits, including blueberries, and vegetables contain many of these naturally occurring antioxidants such as Vitamins C and E.

To many of those who enjoy picking their own blueberries, this year's late cold weather was devastating.

"All the blueberries in the Midwest were almost completely wiped out," said Charles Stadelbacher, owner of Blueberry Hill Farm in Cobden. "A very small percentage is left."

However, Blueberry Hill is selling what's left in the field as "pick your own," and they're bringing in berries from other areas to meet the demand of consumers.

"It's the only way to come up with blueberries this time," said Stadelbacher.

Despite the small crop, people still come from miles around to do their own picking. Jim Pflasterer a retired school principal from Valmeyer, and his wife Dinah took a 105-mile day trip to Southern Illinois to pick blueberries at Blueberry Hill Farm.

"We eat them every morning with our cereal," Jim said.

When picking your own blueberries, look for the berries that are blue all over. They're easier to pick than others in the berry family, in that they are usually from waist to eye level on the bush. After picking, you'll want to make sure to get them into the fridge for the berries to keep as long as possible.

"Some people don't like them to be refrigerated, but the fact of the matter is you want to get the field heat out of them just as quick as you possibly can," said Stadelbacher.

Blueberry Hill Farm has been growing blueberries for 60 years, and they have seen quite a few bushels in their time. The recent growth in interest hasn't really translated into a run on the market, so to speak.

"I haven't seen that much increase in consumption," said Stadelbacher. "The people who like 'em, like 'em. If people eat them because they're healthy, and they enjoy them, then they'll start eating them just because they like them."

If you're inspired to introduce blueberries in your diet, don't worry, you won't blow up into a big blue ball.

"There's no such thing as too many," said York-Camden. "Besides, they're so tasty."

-The U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council contributed to this report

brent.stewart@thesouthern.com

351-5074

STILL AVAILABLE

Blueberry Hill Farm in Cobden is the only farm in the area still offering 'pick your own blueberries' this season. Here are the details:

Where: 675 Wrights Crossing Road

Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily

Contact: Call 893-2397.