The color of a blueberry isn't necessarily an accurate gauge. After they take on the proper color, blueberries must still be allowed to mature for about 10 days on the bush before being harvested. It is credited with having numerous health benefits for such problems as eye diseases, blood clots, diabetes, and inflammatory joint disorders. Anthocyanin is also believed to enhance the ability to see at night. During World War II, British pilots in the Royal Air Force ate jam made from bilberries, the closest European relative to the blueberry, in order to improve their vision for night missions.
Blueberries are native to North America.
They were an ingredient in the early Native American foodstuff pemmican. This is made by pounding and compressing dried buffalo meat, berries, and fat into a cake. Blueberries store fairly well in the refrigerator for five or six days, as long as they are kept dry. For this reason, don't wash them until just before they're used. The berries, though smaller, have a more concentrated flavor than more cultivated types.