Blueberries

Seasons/Availability

Blueberries are available year-round with a peak season in the summer.

Current Facts

Blueberries, botanical name Vaccinuium corymbosum, are perennial flowering plants within the genus Vacciniuma, which also includes cranberries and bilberries. There are three types of Blueberries: highbush, lowbush and hybrid half-high. The highbush Blueberry is the most commercially important of the three types. Blueberries display their deep blue coloring due to the concentration of anthocyanin present in their skin. Blueberries have the highest level of anthocyanins versus any other fruit or vegetable. Their color is an innate act of nature as blue attracts birds, which disperse the fruit's seeds, supporting future crop growth and plant survival.

Description/Taste

Blueberries are delicate, petite and round. Their skin has a soft, hazy white coating, which is known as the bloom. The bloom forms a natural waterproofing and helps protect the berries from the sun and other natural elements. Blueberries have a sweet and woodsy flavor with a low acid finish when ripe.

Applications

Blueberries can be eaten fresh or cooked. They are a common berry used in pies, tarts, ice creams, sorbets, and jams. The can also be used in beverages, compotes, purees and gastriques. They can be dried naturally or freeze dried as well. Complimentary ingredients include cocoa, strawberries, raspberries, lavender, eucalyptus, raisins, honey, peaches, chocolate, herbs such as basil and mint, cloves, cinnamon, cream, butter, fresh cheeses, tea, sweet wines such as muscat and reisling.

Geography/History

Blueberries are native to North America. They were first cultivated in the early 20th century. Prior to that Blueberries were only found growing wild. Their cultivated success can be attributed to the agricultural specialist, Elizabeth White and American botanist Frank Coleville. Together, by 1916 they had successfully cultivated commercially valuable strains of Blueberries in Northeastern United States. The determining success factor was understanding that Blueberries need high levels of acid in their soil and that they are not self-pollinating. Today, Blueberries are the most commercially important food plant within the Vaccinium family. They grow prolifically throughout North America and more limited within Europe and the Southern hemisphere.

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