The History of Boysenberries

Boysenberries were first grown by Rudolph Boysen, who discovered the hybrid fruit (a cross between red raspberries, blackberries, and loganberries). However, his harvest was unimpressive and he all but gave up on his plant. The Knotts family of Knott’s Berry Farm heard about Boysen’s new berry and were interested because it was said to have a layered, complex flavor profile. The Knotts contacted Boysen using the phonebook and obtained trimmings from what was left of the barely salvageable plant Boysen had cultivated but then abandoned after it failed to bear much fruit. The Knotts spent a year trying to grow and harvest boysenberries from the trimmings and were successful in their efforts. Big in both size and flavor, the Knotts dubbed the new berries “boysenberries” in a nod to the man who first cultivated them. After becoming the first to harvest boysenberries at scale, the Knotts began making jams and pies with their boysenberry harvest. Knotts Berry Farm soon grew into a tourist destination because the food they offered was highly sought after — including their boysenberry pie. Crowds formed regularly and the Knotts Berry Farm theme park began to take shape to entertain the influx of visitors. The family also continued serving boysenberry pie and jam to guests. In 1995, the Knotts sold their boysenberry jam recipes, but some are still produced at the theme park under the Berry Market brand. Additionally, all boysenberry plants in the world today can be traced back to Knott’s Berry Farm. The boysenberry has far outgrown its roots and today, many independent farms now grow boysenberries while a variety of chefs and other producers make boysenberry jam, pie, and boysenberry-flavored foodstuffs regularly.