Where to buy pineberries?

[mango2]

Anyone know if pineberries are sold in LA? Would love to buy them. Thanks.

[bulavinaka]

Been casually keeping my ear on the rails for any hint of these things. Poster Mr Taster brought this to our attention with this post:

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/6984...

I was the only respondent so far with nothing to add other than similar curiosity. I would think that if anyone would be the first to find this fruit here in the US, it would be David Karp, aka The Fruit Detective. He's is The Omnipotent One in this field, and would be one of the first to source this here in the US, or at least find a way to get them into the US from the Netherlands for Gourmet shops back east like Dean & DeLuca.

[bulavinaka]

Here's David's entry from today's LA Times "Food" section online, as well as accompanying photos:

http://www.latimes.com/features/food/la-fo-marketwatch-20100416,0,4470304.story

http://www.latimes.com/features/food/...

Still no pineberries...

[carpophilus]

I doubt these "pineberries" will be exported to the United States any time soon, although it is not impossible; at least in the 1990s, there was one firm that imported fraises des bois to New York, and these are no more perishable.
Mike Wellik of www.thestrawberrystore.com (who has been in touch with Hans De Jongh) heard from a German strawberry expert, Brigitte Wachsmuth, that Hans' "pineberry" is actually 'White Pine.' Wellik has it (as well as the USDA in Corvallis, Ore. and at least two strawberry breeders whom I know) and could conceivably sell the plants. So you could grow it yourself.
David Karp

[bulavinaka]

Hi David,

Thanks for the info first hand. I knew you would be the one to turn to since you'd be the first to register any leads on this. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I would think the White Pine's culture would be a cinch in California.

I hope all is well with you and I'm glad to see you back with the LA Times - you're a culinary gem in your own right! Venice misses you, sir.

[carpophilus]

'White Pine' would presumably do as well in California coastal districts as anywhere.
Thanks for your kind words.

[bulavinaka]

Hi David,

My pleasure. If any news comes down the pipe - whether it's "White Pine" or any other tidbits that you think LA Chow Hounders would be interested in, we all would be much obliged. I've been following your extensive coverage on strawberries. I appreciate the most recent part that includes the names and descriptions of the varieties around here. Very helpful for the local FMs' sellers who offer up the variety names. Thanks again.

[katopotato]

Hi David,

I would be very interested in growing "White Pine," but I didn't see it available on Wellik's website... who are the other breeders you know who have it? Thank you so much!

Katie

[carpophilus]

Hi Katie,
Wellik does have 'White Carolina' on his website, although it's hard to find there:
http://www.thestrawberrystore.com/buy...
It's not on his website, but he does have "White Pine', he told me, and could propagate it if people are interested.
Good luck with this.
David Karp

[strawberrystore]

This is an update from Mike Wellik. 'White Pine' won't be available in a significant quantity until spring. 'White Carolina' and 'White D' are currently available. I can begin shipping west again in early October. The link above should work.
Mike Wellik, Owner of The Strawberry Store, LLC

[Strawberry Fan]

I stumbled across this article: <a href="http://strawberryplants.org/2010/09/pineberry-pineapple-strawberry/&quot;&gt;Pineberry: Pineapple Strawberry</a> at <a href="http://strawberryplants.org/&quot... Plants</a>.org just a while ago. It has some of the background of the pineberry as well as direct links to Wellik's pages where he sells three types of pineberry plants.