Does bigger mean better?

[Whiterk]

I went to JF&E and asked if they had any Titan for sale and they guy said no. They go really quick and I told him that's the blueberry that is on my list. He said " Bigger doesn't alway mean better". I happen to think to myself and agree quietly. When visiting Charles he pointed out that his larger berries seem to be sweeter and less seeds. I sampled and he is right. The larger ones are better, at least on his bushes. Has anyone had any experiences with the Titan BB? What do you think?

[Gina]

I have no experience with Titan, but in general, I find the larger berries do taste better than smaller ones on the same bush, most of the time. And they are far easier and more pleasant to pick. Some varieties of larger berries do not taste better however. For example, while I like Emerald, many other people find it bland. It has a large berry.

[fruitnut]

In general a variety with bigger berries will probably taste worse. That's just a generalization so you might find a variety that doesn't follow that trend. Just this yr I tried a few berries of a new variety with huge fruit. The berries were so bad I gave all the plants away.

Also I haven't seen large berries tasting better on any one variety. There is usually a large difference between berries. One tastes great and the next not so good.

[Whiterk]

Thanks for the input, I'm curious how the Titan will turn out in taste.

[Gina]

In general a variety with bigger berries will probably taste worse. That's just a generalization so you might find a variety that doesn't follow that trend. Just this yr I tried a few berries of a new variety with huge fruit. The berries were so bad I gave all the plants away.

I also tried a new variety with very large fruits and found them to be flavorless. But the plants are still young so I'll give them another year. But I doubt they'll be able to improve that much in flavor. I do like that they are a late maturing variety however and thinning might help.

Also I haven't seen large berries tasting better on any one variety. There is usually a large difference between berries. One tastes great and the next not so good.

Perhaps it's wishful thinking because I prefer larger berries, but right now I have Biloxi and Southmoon and some Misty still fruiting (and a few stragglers on others), and on my plants, the larger berries do seem to taste better. Perhaps because in the ripening process, they are probably still getting larger and sweeter after they have turned blue. It's more a matter of complete ripeness in the fully developed berry when it's picked. Not that all small berries are less good, just that in general, to me, the larger ones really do taste better. I'll be more mindful with the ones that are left to see if I've just been self-prejudicing myself.

[pppldj]

I planted 4 Titans this spring. When I bought them, they already had berries forming. They do get big. My wife and I agreed, they tasted somewhat like a plum. I hope that they improve with age. Maybe it's because it's their first year. They still tasted good, but not that classic blueberry taste. I also got 4 Ochlockonee and 2 Baldwin and 1 more Powderblue to go with my existing Powderblues and blighted Brightwells. I think that the Ochlockonees taste the best! Of course, the ones I named are all rabbiteyes.