CITY LIFE LIVELY LIFE- THE BOYSENBERRY FOOD FESTIVAL OF CALIFORNIA by Anuska Bagchi

 

Knott's Boysenberry Farm

Why have food festivals become so popular in recent years?  

Because…food.  
Isn't that enough?  

But truly, the goal of a festival is to celebrate something that people enjoy, and food is something that almost everyone enjoys. Whether you're excited about the latest pizza craze or no-gluten-everything, chances are there's a cuisine type or trend that makes your eyes light up and your taste senses tune in. Delicious food and drink eaten on your travels can make one see God, from street nibbles to handmade feasts.  

You can enjoy culinary delights while learning about different cultures at gastronomy festivals all over the world.

The one that I'm particularly fond of is the Boysenberry festival in Knott's berry farm in CA. I am berry excited about it, see what I did there! 

What rats are to Disneyland, boysenberries are to Knott's farm. I know that is an extremely crude example, but bear with me, there's a story.

Knott's boysenberry funnelcake

Walter Knott, was born in the city of San Bernardino in the year 1889. His father, Methodist clergyman Rev. Elgin Knott, owned an orange farm in Lordsburg. When Walter's father died in 1896, his world was turned completely upside down. Mrs. Knott, six-year-old Walter, and his four-year-old brother, Elgin, were having a difficult time. The orange grove was sold, and shortly before 1900, the family relocated to Pomona. however, Walter Knott knew what he wanted to be since he was a child. He wanted to be a farmer, give shape to life and innovent things.

Walter was renting abandoned properties throughout Pomona to grow vegetables, which he sold door to door by the time he was eleven years old.  

Walter was not sattisfied on the other hand, he was agitated. 

knott's berry farm, the theme park

 

 In 1914, he relocated his small family to a property near Newberry Springs, in the Mojave Desert, in search of new chances. In the parched desert, farming proved to be nearly impossible. Walter Knott started working as a tenant farmer.  

The property wasn't thought to be particularly fruitful, but Walter set to work and soon found himself not only feeding all of the ranch staff but also having surplus food to sell in town.
Preston, his cousin, offered an arrangement in which the two of them would work together to harvest berries in Buena Park. 

Walter's inquisitive nature and inventive talent gave birth to the farm's most famous founds- the Boysenberry. Named after their originator, Charles Rudolph Boysen, It is essentially a cross between a loganberry and a raspberry.

boysenberry sauce filled churros

 

Since then Knott's berry farm has been turned into a theme park with lots of exciting rides and most importantly their trademark Boysenberries.
Springtime is one of the most beautiful times to visit Knott's Berry Farm. Flowers are in bloom, bunnies are about and we get to dig into delicious dishes.

boysenberry ice cream stuffed funnel cake

How do you know where to begin with over 75 distinct boysenberry dishes, drinks, desserts, and more? A food sampling card is the finest way to sample the festival's flavors. For $30, you'll get up to 8 large samples of sweet and savory boysenberry delicacies. 

 There are still plenty of goodies to taste outside of the tasting card options. The Gourmet Coffee Hut, near Voyage to the Iron Reef, serves this Boysenberry spin on a popular beverage.

 

 

Oh, and my personal favorite is the 2 ft long boysenberry hotdog! Additional Boysenberry Festival staples, such as the Fun Bun, deep-fried alligator and fries in a cone with boysenberry aioli, and boysenberry pizza. So much to taste, so little time!

2'feet long hotdogs

 

Make sure you check out the rides too, they are every bit splendid as the food, but go before eating, those rollercoasters are scary! Their new addition The Boysenberry Bubble Tea/Boba is another great attraction.

Boysenberry boba tea