Blueberry

Blueberries belong to the Ericales order (heathers), Ericaceae family, and count more than 450 plants. Today, this originally wild growing plant, is present in all continents and its high resistance to cold enables its survival even in the Arctic North.

The highbush blueberry (American) (Vaccinium Corymbosum) is one of the few fruit native to North America. For centuries, wild growing blueberries were gathered from the forests by Native Americans. Blueberries were consumed fresh and when dried they were added to soups, stews, and meats. Just like the fruit so the leaves and roots of the plant were used as medicine. Blueberry juice was used to treat colds and a tea made from the leaves was thought to prevent blood diseases.

In the 17th century, pilgrims from England arrived to the New World and founded their first settlements. Since they could not rely solely on food supplies from Europe, they set about establishing farms. Unfortunately, they could not rely on the farming skills they brought from England since the soils and the climate differed significantly from that of the Europe. Many farms suffered failure, and those that survived went on to grow corn and other native crops to supplement their food supply. One of the most important native crops was highbush blueberry. In time, the settlers learned from the Natives how to gather, dry, and preserve them for the winter. Blueberries became an important food source.

In the turn of the 20th century, Elizabeth White and Frederick Coville undertook an effort to domesticate the wild highbush blueberry. They selected the best plants from the wild forests of the Northeast USA and after repeated cultivation experiments developed the highbush blueberry suitable for plantations. During the following decades blueberry has been improved to produce an optimal variety with a desirable taste, texture, for both fresh and processed markets. Today’s blueberry bears big, juicy, sweet, and easy to pick fruit.

The highbush blueberry is perennial, deciduous shrub. It grows in acid soils with a pH between 4 - 5. The shrub can reach up to 3 metres. It flowers in spring, with flowers at the tip of canes. The flowers are pollinated by bees and other insects. Fruit ripen in 1,5 – 3 months after bloom, depending on variety, cultivar, weather, etc. Such factors affect also the harvest which can reach up to 10 kg per shrub.

The commercial blueberry farming was started in the USA. The first plantations in Europe were founded in the 1920s in Holland. Also in this country was opened the first in Europe highbush blueberry market. Today, however, it is Germany that is the leading country in blueberry production and consumption. Blueberries have reached also Poland where year after year the number of plantations is growing.

Today the highbush blueberry is becoming more and more popular. Because of its health and nutrient benefits the highbush blueberry is given the name of “the 20th century plant.” Consequently, the number of blueberry lovers enlarges and blueberry market is rapidly growing. The exceptional flavour of these fruit only increase already significant consumer interest.