Bilberry
Bilberry is a small wild berry from the blueberry family, Ericaceae. Its botanical name is Vaccinium myrtillus, and it is closely related to blueberries and other Vaccinium species. The deep blue-purple colour of the fruit comes from naturally occurring anthocyanin pigments.
What is it?
Bilberries are small, dark berries that grow on low shrubs. Unlike many cultivated blueberries, the flesh of a bilberry is also dark purple or blue rather than pale.
They have a deep, slightly tart flavour and are traditionally eaten fresh, dried, or preserved.
Origin
Bilberry is native to much of Europe and parts of northern and western Asia. It commonly grows in acidic soils in forests, heathlands, moorlands and mountain regions.
The species is particularly associated with northern European landscapes.
How is it produced?
Bilberries grow naturally on low, woody shrubs and are generally harvested when the berries are fully ripe.
After harvesting, the berries may be eaten fresh or processed by drying and grinding into a powder. Drying removes much of the water while concentrating the fruit into a convenient form.
History & Traditional Uses
Bilberries have been gathered as a wild food in Europe for centuries. They have traditionally been used in pies, preserves, puddings, drinks and other foods.
Dried bilberries have also appeared in traditional European food practices, particularly where fresh berries were seasonal.
These historical uses describe traditional food practices and do not necessarily reflect established medical benefits.
Naturally Occurring Compounds
Bilberries naturally contain:
- Anthocyanins
- Other polyphenols
- Flavonoids
- Natural fruit sugars
- Organic acids
- Dietary fibre
- Vitamin C
- Manganese and other minerals
The exact composition varies with growing conditions, ripeness, variety and processing.
How We Use It at EirHolt
At EirHolt, we use organic bilberry powder in Skadi’s Forage, where it is combined with bee pollen, organic rosehip shell powder and organic juniper berry powder.
The bilberry is used as a whole-fruit powder, bringing the naturally occurring colour, flavour and constituents of the berry into the blend.
Related Reading
- Bee Pollen
- Rosehip
- Juniper Berry
- Raw Honey
- Bee Bread
- Understanding Whole-Food Powders
Products Containing This Ingredient
Information on this page is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Traditional uses do not necessarily reflect current scientific evidence.
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