Blueberries remain a firm favourite for consumers, and it\u2019s not hard to see why. They have achieved global status for having \u2018superfood\u2019 healthy properties, and their sweet yet tart taste complements a wide range of exciting food and drink products.<\/p>\n
Native to North America, the humble blueberry now grows, both wild and cultivated, across South America, Eastern Europe and around the world. Blueberries come from the Vaccinium<\/em> family, and are closely related to cranberries, bilberries and huckleberries. Contrary to their name, blueberries are not always blue. They come in a purple variety, too.<\/p>\n More than just a fruit, blueberries and their leaves have a long history of being used in traditional remedies for their medicinal properties, to treat and prevent\u00a0digestive orders, improve circulation, maintain eye health and\u00a0reduce inflammation. Is there anything they can\u2019t do?<\/p>\n Now, blueberries are recognised for their high antioxidant content \u2013 a factor in their well-known \u2018superfood\u2019 status. They only have 57 calories per 100 g, contain 84% water and have low glycaemic index, making them a popular choice for low-sugar formulations. Blueberries also pack a nutritional punch, as a rich source of vitamin K, vitamin C and magnesium \u2013 and to this day, they are still consumed for their healthy halo.<\/p>\n Blueberries are not just a hit with consumers: manufacturers love them too! Blueberries have become a fruity addition to many everyday favourites, such as yoghurts, juices, muffins, health bars, and even soups and sauces. Plus, their vibrant colour makes them an ideal natural food dye in food and beverages. Now, manufacturers are experimenting with blueberries in exciting combinations and applications, such as blueberry wine and ice cream. Their balanced flavour pairs beautifully with sweet and savoury, giving chefs and food designers endless combinations to explore \u2013 blueberry and wasabi cookies, anyone?<\/p>\n Get in touch with our fruit and vegetable ingredient experts to see how blueberries can add a \u2018superfood\u2019 quality to your food and beverage products.<\/p>\n Dejan Trifunovi\u0107<\/strong>, SVZ Business Intelligence Manager<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Blueberries remain a firm favourite for consumers, and it\u2019s not hard to see why. They have achieved global status for having \u2018superfood\u2019 healthy properties, and their sweet yet tart taste complements a wide range of exciting food and drink products. Native to North America, the humble blueberry now grows, both wild and cultivated, across South […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1517,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n