Description

The blueberries are fruits produced by various species of the genus Vaccinium (family Ericaceae ). These are small blue-purplish berries with a sweet and slightly sweet flavor.

The origin of the name is primarily Vaccinium myrtillus , the common blueberry , but the name can also refer to Vaccinium uliginosum , the blueberry bog and several American species some of which are cultivated ( Vaccinium caespitosum , Vaccinium corymbosum 1 , Vaccinium angustifolium , Vaccinium deliciosum , Vaccinium membranaceum , Vaccinium ovalifolium , Vaccinium myrtilloides , etc.).

Blueberries grow on the blueberry.

In the botanical sense, blueberries belong to the group of cranberries , a term used then for all species of the genus Vaccinium .

In the culinary sense, we distinguish blueberries (blue and rather sweet) and lingonberries (red and rather tart).

Blueberries have different vernacular names in different regions: brimbella, blueberry, etc., but in Canada the term blueberries is generally used for the fruits of Vaccinium angustifolium and Vaccinium myrtilloides , exclusively American wild species and for those of Vaccinium corymbosum. cultivated. sition of the American blueberry (cultivated, blueberry )

Effect on memory

A remarkable property of blueberry juice is its ability to restore the memory of aged rats: demonstrated by JAJoseph in Boston, this effect has since been confirmed by other teams. It is still unclear if this benefit for memory is reproducible in humans 5 . Researchers are studying therapeutic solutions in other areas ( cancer prevention or degenerative diseases).

Regulation in France

The picking of blueberries is regulated in France, especially in nature reserves. The regulations, which vary from one place to another, also change from one year to the next. Thus, in the Regional Natural Park of Ballons des Vosges , the picking is authorized from July 15 to December 15 for family consumption (2 kg per day per person). The use of the comb is tolerated in the part of the reserve located on the departments of Territoire de Belfort, Vosges. It is forbidden in Haute-Saône. In the Hautes-Vosges, this comb is commonly called riffle 7 , just as the blueberry is commonly called “brimbelle” (which grows on the “brimbellier”).

Culinary use

The berries can be eaten fresh or used in baking to make pies and various other cakes. The blueberry pie is a dessert traditional season in the mountainous regions of Europe ( Alsace , Massif Central , Savoie , Vosges , Ardennes massif , …). The blueberry muffin is a classic American pastry.

Blueberries can also be used to make jams , syrups , sorbets , herbal teas , eaux-de-vie , liqueurs or wines .