While you can snag cultivated blueberries at the grocery store pretty much year-round, their wild cousins are a bit more exclusive. If you’re looking for that intense, forest-grown flavor, you’ve got to time it just right. Here’s the scoop on when wild blueberries are actually in season.
Wild Blueberries Are a Summer Treat
If you head out into the woods starting in late June, you can usually find fresh wild blueberries ripening all the way through the end of August. These little shrubs grow pretty low to the ground, so you’ll want to keep your eyes peeled on the forest floor. The best part? The berries don’t all ripen at once, so new fruit keeps popping up throughout the summer. If you happen to have a successful harvest and come home with a haul, there are plenty of ways to put those tasty berries to use. You can:
- Can them for later,
- Whip up a batch of compote,
- Pop them in the freezer,
- Juice them, or
- Use them as a delicious pie or cake filling.
Always Give Your Wild Berries a Good Scrub
As tempting as it is to snack while you pick, it is super important to wash wild blueberries thoroughly before eating them. Never eat them straight off the bush! There’s a risk of picking up parasites like fox tapeworm, which can be dangerous for humans. Luckily, a careful wash is all it takes to stay safe and enjoy your harvest worry-free.
