When something is fleeting, it’s often cherished. That’s why blueberry season in the Pocono Mountains is kind of like Christmas in July. If you’re in the area between late July and Labor Day, you can take part in the time-honored tradition of blueberry picking at Paupack Blueberry Farm. We visited the family-owned farm on Gumbletown Road in Tafton to experience the summer-fun activity for ourselves. We found out the sprawling fields of blueberries only scratch the surface of everything that’s offered.
Business Takes Root
Donald and Shirley Coutts purchased the blueberry farm in 1964. Its 41.5 acres contained three fields featuring nine varieties of High Bush Blueberries. At the time, business was primarily wholesale with the yield garnering 35 cents per pint. But the demand was greater than the supply, so the family decided to open the farm as a “pick your own” experience.
The Fruits of Hard Labor
Today, all of the fields are planted with High Bush Blueberries- 25 varieties in all! Business really blossomed when Shirley started making homemade blueberry products to sell at the farm. She made all sorts of muffins, jams, jellies, pies and turnovers featuring the farm’s fresh blueberries. Customers who came to buy the treats often took home a few pints of berries too. Sometime in the ‘70s, the owners enlarged the gift shop; added a snack bar and began making and selling its own ice cream.
A Bounty of Options
The third generation of the Coutts family is now at work, and the farm offers more features than ever before. Pick-your-own blueberries is still the main attraction, but visitors can also browse the bakery for a variety of treats baked fresh daily. Blueberry is the star ingredient in everything from muffins and scones to turnovers, puffs, pies, cookies and coffee cake. Blueberry lovers can gobble up a whole host of blueberry-themed items in the gift shop. There are cookbooks, aprons, t-shirts, dishes and even soap featuring the blue hue! Shelves in the gift shop are also stocked with jams and jellies made with every fruit combination imaginable. There are even sugar-free options sweetened with natural apple juice. Other pantry items include blueberry syrup, zucchini relish and local honey. Farm fresh produce available for sale includes zucchini, cucumbers, peaches, squash and corn. The store also carries a wide selection of cheese locally made in Honesdale at Calkins Creamery.
Get the Scoop
Get the ScoopEvery visit to the farm should include a stop at Coutts Ice Cream. Flavors of handcrafted ice cream usually rotate, but perennial favorites such as blueberry and blueberry cheesecake are always in stock. After a day of picking, there’s nothing quite like a refreshing blueberry ice cream cone. There’s a picnic grove if visitors want to pack a lunch to enjoy on the farm or purchase something from the snack bar, like grilled cheese or hot dogs.
A Tradition to Savor
Blueberry picking is a rite of summer for residents and visitors to the Lake Wallenpaupack region. A trip to Paupack Blueberry Farm creates priceless memories and an appetite for the simple pleasures in life.
Be sure to make blueberry picking a part of your next Pocono Mountains getaway. The farm is less than five miles from Silver Birches Resort, which has accommodations to suit groups of every size. Check availability and book your stay, so you can begin making memories!