Blueberry
A small berry from woodlands and mountains, rich in antioxidant pigments.
- Season: July, August, September
- Peak season: August
- Botanical family: Ericaceae
History
Wild bilberries grow in the woodlands and mountain heaths of Europe, where they have been picked since prehistoric times. The larger cultivated blueberry comes from an American species bred in the United States in the early 20th century.
Origin and growing regions
French blueberries are picked in the mountains or grown in the lowlands:
- Vosges
- Massif Central
- Alps
- Nouvelle-Aquitaine (cultivated)
Benefits
The blueberry packs a lot of goodness into a small fruit:
- Anthocyanins: These blue antioxidant pigments are highly concentrated in wild bilberries.
- Fibre: Good for digestion.
- Vitamin K: Present in good amounts.
- Low in calories: About 57 kcal per 100 g.
Varieties
- Wild bilberry: Small, purple flesh, picked in the mountains.
- Cultivated blueberry: Bigger, pale, mild flesh.
- Bluecrop: The most widely grown variety.
- Duke: Early, big firm berries.
Zero waste
- Storing: In the fridge, unwashed: 1 week.
- Freezing: As they are, spread out: up to 12 months. Use them without thawing.
- Nothing goes to waste: Crushed blueberries make jam or a sauce. Perfect in muffins even when a bit soft.