Do you like eating wild blueberries all year long? It can be hard to come by {affordable} fresh fruit during the colder months when fresh produce isn’t as readily available in Canada. Fresh wild blueberries are even more difficult to come by, as the season is short, and with a short shelf life, wild blueberries don’t stay fresh for long.  

Of course, our wild blueberry producers are clever. Because they know that we love our blueberries all year round, there have been some incredibly innovative ways of ensuring that we get the super fruit that we love whenever we want it! There are many different ways that wild blueberries can be enjoyed, some of which may be very surprising!

7 Unique Ways to Enjoy Wild Blueberries

Fresh: 

Obviously this is going to be first on our list. There’s nothing quite like eating wild blueberries straight from the bush. You can get wild blueberries fresh during the harvest season (typically late August to mid September) off of wild blueberry bushes, u-Pick farms, or your local grocery store. Fresh wild blueberries can be used in a large variety of ways, including baking, cooking, sauces, snacking (fresh), and so on. 

Frozen: 

If you’ve been following Canadian Wild Blueberries for any amount of time, you’ll know that frozen wild blueberries is the most accessible form. All Canadian wild blueberries are put through a process called IQF, or better known as Individually Quick Frozen, within 24 hours of being picked. This preserves their nutritional value, their colour, and taste. Many different brands throughout Canada (and around the world) carry wild blueberries that are IQF, and likely can be found in the frozen goods section of your local grocery store. 

Pureed: 

Did you know that wild blueberries are sold as purees? Whether canned or frozen, pureed wild blueberries are used around the world! They can be used as pure ingredients in a sorbet or ice cream, or to be used in cocktails or other drinks. Wild blueberry puree is incredibly useful, as well as being incredibly versatile. 

Juiced: 

As the heading suggests, juiced pure wild blueberries are great for drinking (did you know that wild blueberries have tannins that help prevent bladder and urinary tract infections?), being reduced into a syrup, drizzling over ice cream, or adding to sparkling water for a refreshing drink. In Nova Scotia, one of the most well-known brands of wild blueberry juice is certainly Van Dyk’s Pure Wild Blueberry Juice! 

Powdered: 

Wait, what? Yes, it’s true – you can get pure wild blueberries in a powdered form! This is incredibly handy for baking, mixes, adding to smoothies, and much more! It holds every bit of the tart and refreshing flavour that we love from the wild blueberry, while allowing for us to enjoy them in a very different way! 

Dried:

Most of us have heard of dried grapes (raisins), cranberries (craisins) and so on. But have you heard of dried blueberries? There are typically two different forms of dried blueberries – chewy and crunchy! Next time you’re looking for something to nibble on, ditch the chips and go for some crunchy dried wild blueberries instead! 

Canned:

Of course, we would be remiss if we failed to mention canned wild blueberries. It’s a great way to preserve them, ensuring you can enjoy them all year long. Canning them in water, a light syrup or even pickling them (yes, it’s true! Here’s a recipe on how to make fridge pickle wild blueberries) allows for a longer shelf life, as well as creating some variety in ways to use your wild blueberries!

As you can see, these powerful little superfruits can be enjoyed in many different ways and in every season. Why not try some of the different ways to enjoy wild blueberries today? You never know – you may find a new favourite!