The blueberries we grab at the grocery store are, of course, totally safe to eat. At worst, if you overindulge, they might have a mild laxative effect—so maybe don’t eat the whole giant crate in one sitting! However, if you’re heading out into the woods to forage for wild blueberries, you’ll want to keep your wits about you.
Watch Out for Look-Alikes
Whenever you’re foraging in the wild, there’s always a risk of picking the wrong berry, and some “imposters” can actually be toxic. When it comes to wild blueberries, they are often confused with the Bog Bilberry (also known as the Northern Bilberry). While experienced foragers can usually tell them apart, if it’s your first time out, it’s a good idea to show your haul to an expert before you start snacking.
Also, a quick heads-up: stick to the berries and skip the leaves. In the old days, people thought blueberry leaf tea could help with things like:
- Rheumatism
- Diabetes
- Gout
Nowadays, we know better. Those old remedies are outdated, and the leaves are actually considered mildly toxic, so they’re definitely not for eating.
The Risk of Fox Tapeworm
As delicious and healthy as wild blueberries are, you should never pop them straight into your mouth in the forest. There is a small but serious risk of picking up fox tapeworm eggs from wild plants. The good news? A thorough washing is all it takes to make your forest finds perfectly safe to enjoy.
