August in Nova Scotia is that much-anticipated month of the year when fresh wild blueberries are ready to be harvested and enjoyed. The fields and barrens throughout the province have turned a soft shade of blue as clones of fresh wild blueberries ripen in the sun. The appeal of blueberries is not hard to understand. First you eat them with your eyes, round and plump with a powdery cast over different hues of blue, they just beg to be popped into the mouth by the hand full. The taste is truly special - so blue, so sweet and so, so good!

Harvested at the peak of ripeness, between mid-August and mid- September, they can keep their sweet, sun-ripened taste all year long with the thanks to a flash freezing process called Individually Quick Frozen (IQF). This process preserves the fresh taste, flavour and distinctive deep blue colour of the blueberries for up to two years, making them truly a year-round fruit. IQF wild blueberries can be found in the freezer section of your local supermarket. Look for fresh wild blueberries in season at your local farmer’s markets, supermarket, or roadside stands.

Long-Standing History

The lowbush blueberry is not only Nova Scotia's official fruit, it has developed into one of the province's most important horticultural crops. The large-scale commercial activity of today had its beginnings in the late '40s and early '50s. Over the years it has become the number one agricultural fruit crop in the province in terms of total acreage, export sales and total value to the province's economy.

Wild blueberries are harvested either by hand, by the “stoop and scoop” method using a blueberry rake, or by a mechanical harvester.

The wild blueberry thrives in Nova Scotia and Eastern Canada because of the acidic soil and temperate climate. Blueberries are native to North America and have grown here naturally for thousands of years. Long before the first Europeans settlers came to the New World our native Mi’kmaq had already discovered many uses for the wild blueberry - eaten fresh in season and sun dried for use year round in soups, stews and as a meat tenderizer. Wild blueberries were also used as an ingredient in mysterious healing potions used for headaches, coughs and morning sickness.

To Good Health

Research into the nutritional value of blueberries has lead to the discovery of some remarkable health benefits. Every day the cells in our bodies wage battles against free radicals - unstable oxygen molecules associated with cancer, heart disease and the effects of aging. Antioxidants are natural substances found in fruits and vegetables that neutralize free radicals and protect against disease and age-related health risks. One half cup of wild blueberries delivers as much antioxidant power as four servings of other leading antioxidant fruits and vegetables. In fact, wild blueberries have the highest antioxidant levels of 40 commercially available fruits and vegetables.

The wild blueberry is also an excellent source of vitamin C and fibre with no fat or sodium, thereby, giving it the distinction of being nature's great tasting, healthy blue food

Wild blueberries have also been dubbed nature’s convenience food with no coring, peeling or cutting required.

Wild blueberries are uniquely versatile. Traditionally thought of dessert fare fresh or frozen blueberries can be used in variety of dishes and with a melody of flavours from lemon to licorice. Just the right combination of tender meat, fresh herbs, and spices has the potential to make a wonderful dish.

Wild Blueberry Secrets and Tips

Purchasing & Storage:

When buying fresh berries look for plump, clean, fairly uniform berries with the distinctive powdery cast. Blueberries do not ripen after they are harvested.

Fresh, unwashed wild blueberries refrigerate well for 2 to 4 days.

Freeze your own fresh wild blueberries by cleaning and washing the berries thoroughly, placing them on a cookie sheet or tray and placing in a freezer until frozen. Then remove from the freezer and place in freezer containers or bags.

Frozen berries may by stored for up to two years at 18degrees C (0 degrees F).

When buying frozen wild blueberries look for the IQF berries.

Baking Tips:

To control streaking or bleeding in batter recipes use blueberries straight from the freezer, don’t let them thaw first.

Lightly dusting the blueberries with flour before adding to batter recipes will also prevent bleeding and streaking

Drop blueberries into the batter instead of mixing them in will help distribute the berries evenly throughout the baked product.

For recipes calling for thawed frozen blueberries, slowly thaw berries in the refrigerator, do not use running water, drain.

Nova Scotia Wild Blueberries - Recipe List

• Pork Tenderloin with Wild Blueberry & Apple Compote
• Wild Blueberry Explosion
• Blueberry Vinaigrette
• Wild Blueberry Chicken
• Wild Blueberry Sauce
• Fresh Wild Blueberry & Peach Crepes
• Stuffed Chicken Breast with Goat Cheese, Blueberry, and Maple Sauce