The Puffin Pines Country Gift Store

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Blueberry/Cranberry Themes

In New England, wild blueberries and cranberries have grown naturally for many hundreds of years.  Native Americans harvested these fruits for cooking and healing long before Europeans arrived.  Blueberries and cranberries are two of three original North American fruits.  The other is the Concord grape.

Washington County, Maine, has been the center of the world’s wild blueberry production at least as far back as 1866, just after the Civil War, when wild blueberries were canned in Cherryfield and sent to Union forces.  In 2000, Maine growers cultivated 30,000 acres and harvested over 110 million pounds of wild blueberries.  Washington County was responsible for 80-85% of those totals.  This was a record, over 25% higher than the previous record in 1992.  Canada harvested an additional 81 million pounds of wild blueberries in 2000 - also a record.  The North American wild blueberry crop of 191 million pounds was a 50-60 million pound increase over previous years, and it was almost as much as the 205 million pounds of cultivated blueberries that were harvested this year.

Written American recipes containing cranberries date from the early 1700s.  Cranberry cultivation began formally around 1810 in Massachusetts, but it wasn't until 1989 that Mainers began planting cranberry bogs.  In 2000, some 4 dozen Maine growers cultivated 267 acres of cranberries - 85% in Washington County.  The State’s goal is to have 2,000 acres of cranberries under cultivation.

Blueberries and cranberries are very healthy fruits, supplying antioxidants that attack the free radicals that damage our cells and increase the aging process.  Low in calories, with no fat, cholesterol or sodium, blueberries and cranberries contain vitamins, several minerals, and dietary fiber.

The Puffin Pines carries a number of items having a blueberry or a cranberry motif.  Several are listed here.

Balsam Pillows (Maine-made)

These balsam pillows give off a long-lasting fragrance.  They often are used in drawers and closets, under furniture, in automobiles, and on windowsills.  Balsam also is used to clear congestion, head colds, and asthma; in baths to relieve sore muscles and backaches; and has been used in the past as a remedy for rheumatism, kidney conditions, bladder inflammation, and urinary difficulties.  Traditionally given as a sign of friendship, balsam products make wonderful gifts.

One 8" x 6" pillow  $22.00   One 7" x 5" pillow $17.00 (Two for $30)

Cranberry Country Recipes, by Yolanda Lodi

This 100 page soft cover book contains almost 40 recipes (and stories that embellish them) for using cranberries.  From chicken and seafood to soups and sauces to breads and pies, Yolanda Lodi will make your mouth water as she blends cranberries and foods from many ethnic cultures into these delectable delights.  $20.00

Food and Tea

Maine Honey (Maine-made)

Honey lovers can’t go wrong with an 8 oz. jar in any of these delicious flavors of thick honey: blueberry, raspberry, wildflower.  Made in Maine.

Two jars any flavor  $13.00  

One case (24 jars) of the same flavor  $80.00  

Maine Jams and Jellies (Maine-made)

These 10 oz jars of jam and jelly are made in Maine.  They are thick and delicious; the taste of each is true to the taste of the fruit used.  The following flavors are available: Apple, Seedless Blackberry, Maine Wild Blueberry, Crabapple, Red Currant, Orange Marmalade, Pepper, Damson Plum, Wild Beach Plum, Seedless Black Raspberry, Red Raspberry, Strawberry.

Two jars $13.00  

One case (twelve jars) of the same flavor $60.00 

Maine Blueberry Syrup (Maine-made)

This Maine-made 10 fl oz jar of thick blueberry syrup includes whole Maine wild blueberries.  Delicious!

Two jars any flavor  $18.00  

One case of twelve jars  $70.00  

Maine Cranberries

Dried and Sweetened, Chocolate Covered, Yogurt Covered Cranberries

Cranberries are one of only three major native North American fruits, and have been grown in Maine since 1989.  They have been sent from North America as gifts at least since 1677, and American recipes containing cranberries date from the early 1700s.  Cranberries are high in vitamin C and antioxidants.  These four Maine-made packages make excellent gifts.

Four 4 oz packages of dried sweetened cranberries  $18.00  

Four 5 oz packages of chocolate covered cranberries  $30.00  

Four 5 oz packages of yogurt covered cranberries  $30.00

Each reusable softwood chest contains 25 2-gram tea bags of premium Ceylon tea from the Metropolitan Tea Company.  These are superior teas and are perfect for home use or for gifts.  For additional flavors, click on Food and Tea.

One box  $10.00   Package of six boxes of one flavor  $50.00

Scrimshaw Jewelry

Both women's and men's scrimshaw jewelry is available in the blueberry design.  Shown above are the women's earrings, bracelet, and necklace.  For men, the jewelry includes cuff links, money clip, tie bar, and a tie tac.  These pieces are handcrafted in the USA by Fairhaven Designs, whose artists use fossilized tusks from the North American mastodon.  Each piece comes in a small, white jewelry box.  Please click on Jewelry for additional information

The attractive slates are hand painted by a Maine artist.  Scenes or sayings on the slates can be painted (within reason) per customer request at NO additional charge, though extra time will be required.  Please click on Hanging Things for examples and prices.  If you have a special request, please describe it on the back of the order form.