Beat the Winter Blues

Have you got the winter blues? Well, embrace the power of blue and try some Nova Scotia wild blueberries! A delicious and versatile fruit, the wild blueberry has significant health benefits and is available to you locally year-round.

“Nutritionally, this native plant is unmatched,” says John Quinn, president of the Wild Blueberry Producers Association of Nova Scotia. “It contains vitamins A, C and E, calcium, potassium and magnesium and is rich in antioxidants.”  

While commercial world production of wild blueberries occurs only in a small corner of North America (including the Atlantic Provinces, Quebec and Maine), Nova Scotia’s wild blueberries are sold in over 20 countries around the world, and the industry makes a substantial contribution to our economy.

In Nova Scotia, wild blueberries are used for a variety of products, from juice to jams to ice cream and wine.  If you try some of these recipes recommended by the Wild Blueberry Producers Association of Nova Scotia, let us know how they turn out!

Van Dyk’s 100% Wild Blueberry Juice, Ironworks Distillery and Galloping Cows Fine Foods are just a few Taste members that use wild blueberries for their products.

Wild Blueberry Facts:

–   Nova Scotia’s Provincial Berry is the Wild Blueberry
–   Total wild blueberry acreage is estimated at 40,000 acres with approximately 20,000 acres in production annually
–   Harvesting of wild blueberries begins in early August and continues until late September
–   An estimated 97% of the wild blueberry crop is processed as IQF (individually quickly frozen) berries, available   year-round, and 3% as fresh berries available during August and September
–   Nova Scotia’s provincial production is between 30-40 million pounds annually
–   Oxford, Nova Scotia is the Wild Blueberry Capital of Canada
–   The wild blueberry is the number one fruit crop in acreage export sales and value

Click here for more information, recipes and facts about Nova Scotia’s provincial berry.