What Are Bilberries? A Complete Guide to This Superfood

What are bilberries? If you’ve ever come across this fruit before, you might have mistaken it for the more popular North American blueberry. However, this diminutive cousin of the common blueberry is entirely its own creation, with a distinct color, unique flavor profile, and nutritional content.

Keen to learn more about why you should be incorporating this fruit into your diet? Read on for a closer look at the bilberry, how it differs from the humble blueberry, and how consuming this delicious fruit can bring significant health benefits.

Nordic wild blueberries are rich in essential vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber.

Understanding Bilberries

First time hearing about bilberries? Not to worry. Below, you’ll find a breakdown of where this delicious fruit is found and how it differs from the common blueberry.

Origin and Natural Habitat

The bilberry (Vaccinium Myrtillus) is a berry native to North Europe. Otherwise known as the European blueberry, this low-growing shrub and its tiny fruit are native to almost every Nordic country on the continent, but can also be found growing elsewhere in places like Asia, Greenland, Canada, and some regions of the United States. The bilberry grows well in the wild and prefers acidic and loamy soils and higher latitudes. While bilberries are challenging to cultivate due to their preference for acidic, nutrient-poor soils and cool climates, growing demand has sparked interest in cultivation. However, large-scale agricultural production remains limited, and most bilberries are still harvested from the wild.

How They Differ from Common Blueberries

North American blueberries are somewhat larger than bilberries, boasting more of a blue color. Bilberries are typically half the size of blueberries and have a richer, more purple tone. Bilberries also have a different flavor than blueberries. Whereas blueberries are generally sweet with a slight tartness about them, the flavor of bilberries is more complex and intense. If you want to further differentiate them, go read our blog post about the differences between bilberries and blueberries.

The nutritional content of blueberries can vary greatly. Thanks to their unique growing conditions, bilberries contain higher levels of antioxidants compared to other types of blueberries.

Nutritional Profile of Bilberries

Thanks to their excellent nutritional profile, bilberries make a smart addition to a healthy lifestyle. Below are just a few of the reasons to consider working these berries into your daily diet.

Rich in Antioxidants and Anthocyanins

Bilberries have a much higher antioxidant and anthocyanin content than many other type of blueberries. This is important as antioxidants can help reduce the impact of inflammation and associated inflammatory diseases, including heart disease and some forms of cancer. Anthocyanins and antioxidants can also help combat free radicals, helping stave off the effects of aging.

Key Vitamins and Minerals

Bilberries are also a rich source of many vitamins and essential minerals. They’re high in Vitamin C, which is crucial for cell growth and repair, not to mention immune support and protection against oxidative stress. Bilberries also contain high doses of Vitamin K, which can help with bone health, blood clotting, and wound healing.

Additionally, bilberries contain plenty of manganese, which can help fight inflammatory disorders, manage blood sugar levels, and prevent things like metabolic syndrome. Meanwhile, a high amount of fiber makes bilberries a good choice for improving gut health, encouraging healthy digestion, and managing desirable levels of gut flora.

How to Incorporate Bilberries into Your Diet

Eager to start experimenting with bilberries? Read on for just a few ways you can make your menus more interesting with this delicious alternative to the common blueberry.

Eating Whole Bilberries

Because of their intense flavor, bilberries are often best enjoyed as they are. You can enjoy the fruit fresh, freeze-dried, or frozen. Bilberry fruit is particularly popular as a snacking food, making it ideal for lunch boxes and picnics.

Bilberries thrive in northern Europe, Iceland, and parts of Asia. They bloom in June, with harvesting starting in August and usually finishing by September.

Using Bilberry Powder in Smoothies and Recipes

In powdered form, bilberry makes a superb ingredient addition to things like smoothies. Simply add a serving of bilberry powder to a base of water or plant milk and you have a healthy beverage that’s bursting with flavor. You can also use bilberry powder to add an intense fruity flavor bomb to all manner of recipes. The tangy flavor profile of bilberries also makes them a go-to ingredient for things like preserves.

Baking and Cooking with Bilberries

As with any berry fruit, bilberries are a perfect baking ingredient. Use them to add some tangy flavor and color to things like muffins or pancakes, or stew them to make delicious fillings for pies. You can also use them to create intense dessert sauces to serve alongside baked goods like pastries, as well as chilled treats like yogurt and ice cream.

Herbal Teas and Extracts

If you’re not particularly confident in the kitchen, there are other ways you can enjoy the health-boosting benefits of this Nordic berry. Herbal teas are a great source of vitamins and minerals and are easy to incorporate into any diet. For an even simpler way of adding this wonder fruit to your diet, bilberry extracts and supplements are another option.

Where to Buy Quality Bilberries

Bilberries aren’t as widely available as other blueberries, but they’re still readily available if you know where to look. You might be able to find bilberries on supermarket shelves if you’re shopping in a region where the fruit goes naturally, although you’ll have better luck at health food outlets and other specialty stores. However, for maximum convenience, it’s better to source your bilberries online.

Choosing Organic and Wild Bilberries

If you’re someone who takes their health seriously, you’ll understand the importance of selecting organic produce. Full of color and bursting with flavor, products made from fresh bilberries win out, every time. Looking for delicious bilberry-based products? LOOV’s extensive range of organic superfoods has something for everyone. All of our bilberry products are made from organic Nordic wild blueberries, boasting high levels of essential vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber.

Want a simple way to add blueberries and bilberries to your daily diet? Enjoy the incredible health benefits of these tasty fruits—freeze-dried blueberries make a perfect snack!

Avoiding Artificial Additives

Many brands use artificial colors, fillers, and additives to sweeten bilberries and give them a longer shelf life. If you’re looking for a wholly organic alternative that relies only on the real thing for color and flavor, why not explore LOOV’s range of pure bilberry products instead? Go with freeze-dried bilberries if you’re looking for a healthy snack or versatile baking ingredient, or enrich your favorite fruit smoothie with a scoop of organic wild bilberry powder instead.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bilberries

Are Bilberries Safe for Daily Consumption?

Yes, they can make a welcome addition to a healthy daily diet when used in moderation.

Do Bilberries Help with Night Vision?

Bilberries contain antioxidants and anthocyanins, which can help combat oxidative stress. Some studies suggest this may help protect the eye vessels from damage, potentially helping with night vision.

How Are Bilberries Different from Huckleberries?

Bilberries and huckleberries are close relatives, with the latter genus native to North America. Huckleberries are full of seeds and tend to have a harsher, tarter flavor.

Can Bilberries Help Reduce Inflammation?

Thanks to a high concentration of anthocyanin, bilberries are thought to boast potent anti-inflammatory properties. Some studies suggest they can help with a host of inflammatory diseases, as well as metabolic disorders.