Blueberries  

Vacinnium is the family of all blueberries which worldwide, includes more than 450 plant types. Many different names have been given to the numerous varieties of Vacinnium that produce edible fruits, such as Blueberry, Bilberry, Cowberry, Cranberry, Crowberry; Farkleberry, Lingonberry, Partridgeberry, Huckleberry, Whortleberry and Sparkleberry.

Blueberries are one of the few fruits native to North America. For centuries they were gathered from forests and bogs by Native Americans, consumed fresh or preserved. The Northeast Native American tribes revered blueberries and much folklore developed around them. The blossom end of each berry, the calyx, forms the shape of a perfect five-pointed star; the elders of the tribe would tell of how the Great Spirit sent "star berries" to relieve the children's hunger during a famine. Parts of the blueberry plant were also used as medicine. A tea made from the leaves of the plant was thought to be good for the blood. Blueberry juice was used to treat coughs. The juice also made an excellent dye for baskets and cloth. In food preparation, dried blueberries were added to stews, soups and meats. The dried berries were also crushed into a powder and rubbed into meat for flavor. Blueberries were used for medicinal purposes along with the leaves and roots. A beef jerky called Sautauthig "pronounced saw'-taw-teeg", was made with dried blueberries and meat and was consumed year round.  

During the seventeenth century, settlers from England arrived in the New World. They immediately set about clearing the land and establishing farms, for they could not rely solely on supplies from England. A settlement was established at Plimoth “Plymouth”. The Wampanoag Indians taught the settlers new skills that helped them survive. They showed them how to plant corn and how to gather and use native plants to supplement their food supply. One important native crop was blueberries.

The colonists learned from Native Americans how to gather blueberries, dry them under the summer's sun and store them for the winter. In time, blueberries became an important food source and were preserved. A beverage made with blueberries was an important staple for Civil War Soldiers. In the 1880’s, blueberry canning begun. 

Botanists and horticulturists have cultivated blueberries for decades to improve and produce the optimal berry. Plant breeders and have worked to identify and enhance the desirable features of various cultivars. Berries have been improved through natural selection and plant breeding programs to produce a berry with desirable flavor, texture and color for both the fresh and processed markets. Cultivated blueberries offer a  magnificent plump, rich color and a delicious fruity flavor.

According to the United Nations Food & Agricultural Organization, more than 42,000 metric tons of blueberries are harvested each year. Although the USA and Canada are the largest producers and consumers of the berries, consumption around the world is on the rise. Japan alone imports over 500 metric tons of fresh blueberries annually .

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