FAQ - All you need to know about blueberries
1 - Why are blueberries in Quebec tastier than imported blueberries?
It is important to know that blueberries from the United States, Chile or British Columbia are picked before they are ripe to ensure their condition. A younger fruit is generally more solid than a mature fruit (1).
On the other hand, the fact that it is picked before it is ripe prevents it from developing its full flavor. This is why people in Quebec prefer the more pronounced taste of our blueberries, whether wild or cultivated.
There is little connection to be made with the size of the blueberry.
2 - What gives cornflowers their blue color?
It is the anthocyanins (an antioxidant) that give the fruit its blue color. Wild blueberries contain more skin and therefore more anthocyanins than cultivated blueberries, i.e. highbush blueberries (3).
3 - Are blueberries and bilberries the same fruit?
Blueberries and bilberries are both in the same family, called "Ericaceae" or flowering plants, and they are also in the same genus, called " Vaccinium" (small fruit shrubs).However, even though they are of the same genus, blueberries and bilberries are two different species. Wild blueberries are of the species Vaccinium angustifolium (narrow-leaved blueberries or wild blueberries) while the wild bilberry is of the species Vaccinium myrtillus .
Find out more by reading the full article.
4 - Can you grow wild blueberries at home?
Yes, it is possible to grow different varieties of blueberries at home. But be careful, the blueberry tree (the Blueberry Tree) requires acidic soils and is very fragile to temperature variations. In addition, they tend to produce fewer blueberries than those found in the wild.
The highbush blueberry is the one most easily found in specialty stores. The wild blueberry is rarer, although it would be the most suitable for home cultivation.
5 - When is the wild blueberry harvest period?
It depends on the weather conditions, but in a normal season the blueberry becomes mature around the end of July and the beginning of August. They can be harvested for 4 to 6 weeks.
6 - How long does fresh blueberry keep?
We are talking about about 7 to 10 days, always depending on the ambient conditions. In the cold, its lifespan can be increased. Nevertheless, it remains a small fruit that must be consumed as soon as possible.
7 - Are there fresh blueberries that are coated in other types of chocolate besides dark chocolate?
Yes, for milk chocolate lovers, La Maison du Bleuet offers fresh blueberries coated in 34% Belgian milk chocolate .
8 – Are frozen blueberries as healthy as fresh blueberries?
Yes, frozen blueberries retain the same health properties as fresh blueberries.
9 - How many calories does blueberry contain?
For a 100-gram serving of fresh wild blueberries, the number ranges from 44 to 60 calories. In comparison, 100 grams of bananas are nearly 90 calories.
You should know that blueberries are mainly composed of water (nearly 85%), which makes them an excellent healthy choice in terms of calories.
References