Who doesn’t love blueberry pancakes with Maine maple syrup or a hot, buttery blueberry muffin? Humans, birds, and even the family dog enjoy eating blueberries because they are sweet and juicy. Don’t tell the kids, but these gifts of nature pack a healthy punch too. It’s hard to believe something so small is full of antioxidants that help reduce inflammation, and provide you with vitamins and minerals like manganese, B6, C, and K, as well as fiber.
Blueberries are plentiful in Maine, but just how many of these perennial treasures are scooped up each autumn? According to the University of Maine’s Cooperative Extension, in 2022, Maine harvested about 77.6 million pounds of wild blueberries, the low bush variety, which accounts for about 99% of all the blueberries in the entire country.
As the weather gets cooler, you might be inspired to find a new favorite. Check out these mouth-watering recipes featuring Maine’s most popular fruit:
Even after their harvest time, blueberries continue to give back. Take a drive on a road headed “Downeast” past Ellsworth and you’ll see bushes for miles with leaves turned ruby red. It’s a gorgeous site to see.
Enjoy blueberries anyway you want—you’re doing yourself a favor by eating a healthy snack and giving Maine’s economy a boost.