• Origin: North America
• Scientific name: Vaccinium Angustifolium
• Family: Vaccinium
• Tree: height: 10 cm - 4m tall
• Fruit: ½ inch in diameter
• Season: May to early October. Peak season is July and large New Zealand blueberries are available in markets in the winter at a premium price.
• Culinary uses: Use blueberries in baked goods, jams, pies, pancakes, salads or, best of all, with a simple splash of sweet cream.

Blueberry is a round, smooth-skinned fruit; the soft skin is colored pale greenish at first, then reddish-purple, and finally blue-black when ripe. They have a sweet taste when mature, with variable acidity. Blueberries are called the superfruit because it is one of the richest sources of antioxidants. Blueberry is high in antioxidant vitamins such as vitamins E, A and C. It is also a good source of dietary fiber. Although blueberries are native to North America, they are now grown also in the Southern Hemisphere in Australia, New Zealand and South American countries, and are air-shipped as fresh produce to markets around the world.

Blueberry antioxidants include; flavonoids (catechin, epicatechin), anthocyanin (which gives the blue pigment to the fruit), beta-carotene, phenolic compounds and ellagic acid (ellagitannin).

Nutritional value: per 100 g

• Vitamin C: 10 mg
• Vitamin E: 0.6 mg
• Thiamine: 0.04 mg
• Riboflavin: 0.04 mg
• Niacian: 0.42 mg
• Pantothenic Acid: 0.1 mg
• Vitamin B6: 0.1 mg
• Vitamin K: 19 mcg
• Calcium: 6 mg
• Iron: 0.3 mg
• Magnesium: 6 mg
• Phosphorus: 12 mg
• Potassium: 77 mg
• Zinc: 0.2 mg
• Carbohydrates: 14.5 g

Health Benefits:

• Blueberries like red grapes also contain in their skins significant levels of resveratrol, a natural compound that has been found to inhibit cancer.
• Blueberry may help prevent Alzheimer's disease. Studies show that frequent consumption of blueberries improves motor skills and reverse short-term memory loss.
• Blueberry may help prevent urinary tract infection.
• Blueberry consumption lowered cholesterol and total blood lipid levels, possibly affecting symptoms of heart disease.
• Blueberries have been shown to improve night vision and prevent tired eyes. They also appear to improve night vision and to slow macular degeneration by strengthening tiny blood vessels in the back of the eye.
• Blueberries are a particularly rich source of antioxidants called anthocyanins. Studies suggest anthocyanins discourage blood clots from forming, warding off heart attacks.
• Blueberry can help lower LDL cholesterol, a cause of stroke and cardiovascular heart disease.
• Blueberries can prevent constipation and digestive problems.

Buying Tips: Buy blueberries that are firm, uniform in size and blue-black in color with silvery frost. Discard shriveled or moldy berries.

Storage: Store (preferably in a single layer) in a moisture proof container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. To freeze freshly picked blueberries, place in a single layer on a cookie sheet in the freezer. When frozen, put in freezer containers. It is best to wash before using, but not before freezing.