When it’s a Bilberry of course! Confused? Let me explain.
Blueberries and Bilberries are similar enough to be of the same Genus, Vaccinium.
Bilberries (V. Myrtillus) tend to grow wild as a low-lying grass like plant, whilst Blueberries (V. Corymbosum/Angustifolium) are generally cultivated for mass markets and grow on small bushes. Blueberries are from all over the world, esp USA, whereas Bilberries are more European and particularly Scandinavian – where they are called Wild Blueberries just to confuse us even more! Still confused? – well if you handle bilberries or eat them fresh you will get blue hands and a blue mouth.
Bilberries are also called Whortleberries in some parts of Europe and Blaeberries in Scotland – that might be just the accent 😊.
Bilberries are blue right through, whereas cultivated Blueberries you buy fresh from a supermarket are lighter inside or even white under the skin. Whilst both types of berries are extremely healthy – especially if you choose organic varieties, the Bilberries (or Scandinavian Wild Blueberries) have the upper hand on antioxidant levels including polyphenols and anthrocyanins by approx. 4:1. (Source www.nutritionalfacts.org ) Generally, the bluer the fruit the higher the anthrocyanin level and the greater the health benefit – the science shows this indisputably.
Not convinced about the benefits of organic yet? See some science here too. https://nutritionfacts.org/2019/05/09/the-role-of-pesticides-in-parkinsons-disease/?utm_source=NutritionFacts.org&utm_campaign=8b6c05f611-RSS_BLOG_DAILY&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_40f9e497d1-8b6c05f611-24524961&mc_cid=8b6c05f611&mc_eid=f5242ccab5
Please contact me for the best sources of these products, year round.