Fruit
Duke
A tier
Duke is an early-season northern highbush cultivar prized for firm, light-blue berries that handle mechanical harvest and long shipping. Flavour is mild-pleasant, improved after a short cold storage rest, with low acidity compared with some midseason types. Dominates early fresh programmes in many regions. Excellent clamshell berry; less of a jam specialist than softer, more aromatic cultivars. Pick fully blue; Duke can look ready slightly before peak flavour. Reliable commercial workhorse.
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Grading systems
Grades are placed along a shared scale so systems can be compared side by side.
History
Duke highbush was released from USDA/New Jersey breeding work.
Duke rapidly became a leading early commercial cultivar.
International highbush growers planted Duke for export windows.
Duke remained a global early-season acreage leader.