Researchers have been experimenting with adding fruit such as blueberries into beef, chicken and turkey burgers. The fruit makes the burgers more nutritious by adding antioxidants and decreasing fat content, improves texture by making juicier burgers, and helps berry farmers sell their crops.
Other fruits such as cherries and prunes have also been added to burgers. Members of the fruit industry are beginning to compete for shares of the fruit-filled burger market as interest in the product increases.
Researchers are planning taste tests for the fruit burgers and hope to offer the new burgers to the federal school lunch program.
The Washington Post August 4, 2003; Page A13