Looking for a reason to celebrate? Look no further, because July is National Blueberry Month!
Blueberries took the world by storm when the first commercial blueberry crop emerged in 1916, although they had been growing in the wild for centuries prior.
Since then, they have become more than just a beloved fruit, but a cultural icon. That’s why the USDA created a month-long blueberry celebration in 1974! Even today, people can’t seem to get enough of the fiber- and antioxidant-packed superfood.
These tiny but mighty berries are so versatile in the kitchen. From salads, to pastries, to parfaits, and more, it’s hard to believe anyone could ever get tired of them!
The U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council has an online recipe collection full of endless ways to include blueberries in every meal all year long. Find unique recipes like these Apricot-Glazed Blueberry Biscuits and Blueberry Guacamole! Their website also includes plenty of berry cooking tips, so chefs of all abilities can tackle their dream blueberry dish.
While we’re in the peak of blueberry season now, the harvest will be winding down soon. Stock up while they are fresh and bountiful! Blueberries will keep in the freezer for up to 10 months, so you can enjoy them year-round.
We’ll leave you with some fast, fascinating blueberry fun facts that you can use to wow your friends all month.
- The blueberry Jelly Belly flavor was created for Ronald Reagan’s inauguration in 1981, and over 6,000 pounds of the candy beans were consumed during the festivities.
- The U.S. is the world’s leading blueberry producer, and Washington is the second top blueberry-producing state.
- One blueberry bush can produce up to 6,000 berries per year.
- The heaviest blueberry on record weighed 15 grams, which is heavier than one AAA battery (12g).