Blueberry

Enjoy more fruits and vegetables

Fruit

Grow

Blueberries are a fruit that grows on a bush. Blueberries

have been around for about 13,000 years. Blueberry

bushes are naƟve to the United States and sƟll grow wild

in many places. U.S. culƟvated blueberries were first

grown in New Jersey at the turn of the 20th century. Since

then, many varieƟes of blueberries have been culƟvated

across North and South America and beyond.1

  

The U.S. is the world’s largest blueberry producer. Over

80 percent of the harvest is culƟvated blueberries. Ten

states grow 98 percent of the U.S. commercial blueberry

crop. North Carolina is among those. In total, 38 states

grow blueberries.1

     

Young plants can be purchased at a garden center. Plant

bare root plants in late winter (February or March) and

poƩed plants in November or December. To support cross

‐pollinaƟon, plant two different varieƟes of blueberries

for fruit to develop. Blueberries prefer full sun. Place

plants 1 foot deep and 4‐5 feet apart. Bushes can grow up

to 12 feet tall but usually peak at 6 feet. The first year’s

harvest will be small, but aŌer 2‐3 years it should increase

in size. To protect the harvest from birds, cover bushes

with neƫng supported on a framework.2,3

Choose

Blueberries are in season May through November from

sources across the United States. Peak season in N.C. is

May to August, depending on the variety.1,4

Quality berries should be firm, plump and dry. They

should have a deep blue or blue‐black color with a silvery

sheen, called a bloom. If a blueberry shows any sign of

red, it has not fully ripened and will likely be tart. White

or green blueberries are not ripe and should be leŌ on the

bush. Blueberries do not ripen aŌer harvest.1,5

Store

Sort through the blueberries to remove any with mold.  

Store blueberries in the refrigerator, 32‐36o

F, in a single

layer, if possible. Blueberries are very sensiƟve to rough

handling or temperature fluctuaƟons. Heat exposure will

shorten how long the berries can be stored before using

or freezing. Do not expose blueberries in closed bags or

containers to sun or heat. If ideal condiƟons exist, fresh

blueberries can keep 10‐14 days. For the best taste and

texture, try to eat within 1 week. Frozen blueberries can

be stored up to 6 months.1,5

Fun Fact: Blueberries are the official state Blue Berry for

North Carolina.7

Use

Do not wash blueberries unƟl ready to cook or eat them.

Washing too early can result in mushy berries. Fresh or

frozen blueberries should be washed under clean, running

water and drained prior to eaƟng.1,6

Blueberries are sold fresh and also frozen, canned, dried,

pureed, and concentrated. Fresh berries are great alone

as a snack. Add to yogurt, cereal, waffles, pancakes, baked

goods, salads and salsa. Blend into smoothies.1

  

Fun Fact: Blueberries are the second most popular

“berry” grown in America aŌer strawberries.

Fun Fact: Although they have the name “blue” berry, they

can also be grown with pink or purple skin.2

Fun Fact: July is NaƟonal Blueberries Month.1

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. 08/14 

http://childnutrition.ncpublicschools.gov 

PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA 

State Board of Education 

Department of Public Instruction 
Blueberry

Teach

Roots in the Soil and Our History

NaƟve Americans first enjoyed blueberries year round.

When blueberries were in season, they ate them fresh.

They dried them in the sun to have later during the winter

months. They added them whole to soups and stews and

crushed them into a powder to use as a preservaƟve on

meat. NaƟve Americans shared dried blueberries with the

pilgrims to help them through the first winter. Today,

most Americans have cranberry sauce for Thanksgiving.

For the first Thanksgiving, many historians believe fresh

cranberries and blueberries were on the menu.8

Wild lowbush blueberries are grown in Maine and parts of

Canada. They are spread by underground runners, called

rhizomes, which produce new shoots and stems. Wild

berries are harvested using handheld rakes.9 CulƟvated

blueberries, Northern and Southern Highbush and Rabbit‐

eye, are planted. Highbush blueberries can be harvested

by hand or machine.1,3,4

Enjoy more fruits and vegetables

Find

For more blueberry info and resources, visit:

1. www.blueberrycouncil.org

2. www.ces.ncsu.edu

3. www.blueberry.org

4. hƩp://northcarolinablueberries.com

5. www.fns.usda.gov/tn/fruits‐vegetables‐galore‐helping‐

kids‐eat‐more

6. www.fruitsandveggiesmoremaƩers.org

7. www.secretary.state.nc.us/kidspg/symbols.htm

8. www.history.com

9. www.wildblueberries.com

10.www.cranberries.org

11.www.eatright.org

12.www.cals.uidaho.edu

Class AcƟvity

Materials Needed:

 Wild lowbush blueberries (If not available fresh, try

frozen. The label must say “wild” blueberries.)

 CulƟvated highbush or rabbiteye blueberries

Steps:

1. Have students examine the blueberries. Explain to   

students that a blueberry is a “true blue” food. The

blue color is from a plant pigment called anthocyanin

that imparts colors from blue to shades of red.3

2. Compare and contrast the blueberries. Wild lowbush

blueberries are smaller in size and have a bluish pulp.

CulƟvated highbush blueberries are usually larger in

size and have a light green pulp.1,3,9

3. Have students research the history, nutriƟon, benefits

and uses of blueberries and present their findings.

Eat

Good Things Can Come in Small Packages!

One cup of blueberries has around 80 calories. These   

berries are cholesterol free and low in sodium and fat.

Blueberries are an excellent source of vitamins C and K.

One serving provides almost 25% of the Daily Value for

vitamin C. Vitamin C helps form collagen to hold muscles,

bones and Ɵssues together, protects us from infecƟons

and bruising, aids in healing, keeps our gums healthy,

helps our body absorb iron and folate from plants, and

acts as an anƟoxidant to prevent cell damage. Vitamin K  

helps our body clot blood and make proteins needed for

our blood, bones and kidneys. Blueberries are rich in

manganese, which plays an important role in forming

bone and converƟng carbohydrate, protein, and fat into

energy. Blueberries are full of fiber. Insoluble fiber aids

digesƟon. Soluble fiber helps lower blood cholesterol.

Phytonutrients, called anthocyanidins, in blueberries act

as anƟoxidants and anƟ‐inflammatory agents prevenƟng

or repairing cell damage. They may help with maintaining

brain funcƟon and healthy immune funcƟon.1,4,6,11

Fun Fact: Blueberries have four cousins—cranberries,

huckleberries, lingonberries, and bilberries. All are naƟve

North American fruits.2,12

Fun Fact: NaƟve Americans first called blueberries “star

berries” because the blossom end of each berry, called

the calyx, forms a perfect five‐pointed star.1,2

Fruit

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. 08/14 

http://childnutrition.ncpublicschools.gov 

PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA 

State Board of Education 

Department of Public Instruction