An American Original – Wild Blueberries

Wild blueberries are in season for just three short weeks in the Summer, and we can never get enough of their intense, wild flavor and wonderful nutrition. This recipe combines ripe, vibrant wild blueberries with healthy homemade yogurt for a delicious summer treat. Wild blueberries have lower water content and a substantially higher nutritive value per pound than the larger and more common cultivated variety of berries. They have a more intense, sweet and tangy taste than cultivated blueberries, and deliver essential nutrients in every bite.

Frozen wild blueberries also pack the same nutritional benefits, and we’ve found that frozen berries work perfectly in this recipe. The state of Maine freezes 99% of their wild blueberry crop, making frozen wild blueberries more widely available.

Equipment: Brød & Taylor Folding Proofer for making the yogurt base; ice cream freezer and either a 1 quart / 1 L container or individual popsicle molds with wooden sticks. For the creamiest texture, pre-freeze the containers until it is time to fill them.

Cook the Blueberries. Begin with thawed, rinsed and drained blueberries. In a medium saucepan, add the 6 T / 12.5 g of sugar to ½ C / 118 ml of water. Heat over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the sugar dissolves. Add the blueberries and stir gently to coat the berries with hot syrup. Turn the heat to Low and cook berries about 10 minutes to soften skins.

Drain the Berries. Place a colander over a bowl and pour in the berry mixture, allowing the juices to drain into the bowl. Reserve berries in a small covered bowl and chill in the refrigerator.

Concentrate the juices. Return the drained blueberry juice to the saucepan (or to a microwavable container). Using the microwave or stove-top, reduce the juices to about 1/3 C / 80 ml, creating a thick, heavy syrup. If using the stove-top, use low heat and stir often to prevent burning on the bottom. Allow to cool. Mix the chilled berries with the reduced syrup. At this point the prepared berry mixture can be left as is, pureed smooth, or mashed with a fork.

Wild blues are smaller and weigh less due to their lower water content.

Make and chill the pre-mix. Fold the prepared blueberry-sugar mixture into the strained yogurt and stir in the vanilla extract. Taste and correct for sugar, adding superfine sugar, maple syrup or honey if needed. Chill in the refrigerator until completely cold.

Freeze the Yogurt. Put the chilled pre-mix into your ice cream maker and freeze according to instructions. When ready, pour the mixture into popsicle molds (or a 1 quart/1 L container) and freeze. After 30 minutes, insert sticks in the center, cover and freeze until firm.

Wild Blueberry Smoothie: 3 scoops Wild Blueberry Frozen Yogurt in a blender, 1 banana, 2 T / 30 ml tart cherry juice, ½ C / 125 ml apple cider or juice. Blend until a smooth consistency and enjoy!

Wild blues are picked with a blueberry comb

Wild blueberries (vaccinium angustifolium) are one of the most potent antioxidant fruits. Studies of these antioxidant-rich super berries and the bioactive phytonutrients that give them their deep blue color reveal a wide range of potential health benefits. They contain a diverse range of micronutrients and notably high levels of the essential dietary mineral manganese, plus vitamins K, C, B6, and E, dietary fiber, and potassium. These tiny berries are ancestors to the more familiar and larger cultivated blueberries. They are one of three berries (wild blueberries, concord grapes and cranberries) native to North America and have thrived in the New England climate for thousands of years. In terms of consumption, blueberries rank second only to strawberries in popularity.

Only 30% of the wild blueberry plants’ biomass is above ground. The 70% of the plant that is below ground is able to quickly regenerate the above-ground shoots and leaves. Unlike the larger cultivated (highbush) blueberries, wild (lowbush) blueberries are not planted. They spread by ground runners or rhizomes, grow a mere 18” / 46 cm tall, and are traditionally harvested with hand-held rakes. We love these amazing plants and their intensely flavored, nutritious fruit!