Grow to Love .... Blueberries

Why love… Blueberries?

They’re a small fruit that pack a mighty punch!

Crammed full of nutrients and antioxidants like vitamin C, iron and fibre,^[1]blueberries are the true survivor fruit and grow in extremely harsh conditions.^[2]

Despite their hardiness blueberries are beautifully mild and sweet^[3]. They are great on their own or with other fresh fruits and make a brilliant addition in baking, giving cakes real zing with their flavour and distinctive blue tinge. They can also be used as an interesting twist on a savoury dish.

 

Did you know?

 

• Blueberries are native to North America and East Asia but can grow almost anywhere. They even grow in the Arctic and are an important part of the Inuit diet.^[4]
• There is a cross-border tension between the US state of Maine and Quebec in Canada because of their competing blueberry production.^[5]
• You should look for plump berries, they should be covered in a dusty bloom and never be shrivelled.

 

Top tips

What better to do with a Blueberry than give them a wash and eat them fresh – but here are some extra ideas.

• Feeling wicked? Cover your fresh berries with melted chocolate. Either eat them while the chocolate is still warm or put them in the fridge to harden.
• Frozen blueberries make a brilliant instant dessert - simply blitz a couple of cups with a cup of double cream and a cup of icing sugar, then eat it straight away like ice cream.
• Their flavour livens up meat dishes, especially poultry. Make them into a sauce by simmering them in red wine.^[6]
• Combine them with other fruits like apples and blackberries, or use them on their own in pies, crumbles or cheesecake.

Recipe suggestions

 Please note: Horticulture Wales is not responsible for the content of external internet sites 

 

 

Download grow to love card (.pdf)

 

References