Blueberry History and FAQ
By the time the Pilgrims arrived in North America, Native Americans were already
making use of the blueberry. They were first dried in the sun, then added to soups,
stews, and crushed into a powder and rubbed into meat. The Pilgrims learned to appreciate
the gift of blueberries from the Indians as it helped the new settlers make it through
that first cold winter.
Although botanists estimate the blueberry has been around
for 13,000 years, they were first cultivated and commercialized by Elizabeth Coleman
White in 1916 in the South (New) Jersey village of Whitesbog. Blueberries have
been commercially cultivated only since the early 20th century, when the USDA
helped develop new improved varieties. The blueberry is the second most popular
berry in the United States as the strawberry is number one, Over 200
million pounds of blueberries are grown commercially each year.
Blueberries
contain significant quantities of both antibacterial and antiviral compounds, and
have a reputation in northern Europe of fighting infections. They are becoming known
for their “nutrient richness.” Today, North America produces nearly 90% of world
blueberry production. In the U.S., Maine produces about 25% of all the blueberries
grown in North America (wild and cultivated combined) and is the largest producer
of wild blueberries in the world. Blueberry production in North America typically
starts in mid-May (in Florida) and ends in September. Blueberries are of the genus
Vaccinium and are native to North America and eastern Asia. Shrub size varies can
vary from 10 cm tall to 4 m tall. There are basically three types of blueberries
grown commercially in the United States; the Northern Highbush blueberry, the Southern
Rabbiteye blueberry, and the Lowbush blueberry, also called the Wild Lowbush blueberry.
In North America, the most common cultivated species is the Northern Highbush Blueberry.
The lowbush is grown in Northern Maine and parts of Canada. Blueberries grow in
clusters and range in size from that of a small pea to a marble. The color of blueberries
range from blue to maroon to purple-black. Blueberries are at their best from May
through October when they are in season.
Please follow this link to our
FAQ page with more information on blueberries.