Bilberry or European blueberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.)
One of the delicious berry species found in the Nordic forests is the bilberry, also called European blueberry, blaeberry, huckleberry, or whortleberry. The small, blue to black coloured berries are known for their sweet taste and are thus eaten raw, as well as used in several recipes throughout the Nordic countries. It is commonly used in jams, pies, juices, smoothies and cakes. In Sweden, it is used to make a ‘soup’ called blåbärssoppa.
Swedish: blåbär, Norwegian: blåbær, Finnish: mustikka, Danish: blåbær, Icelandic: aðalbláber
Text by Remi Moerenhout, top photo by Peter Henriksson.
Bilberry is a woody shrub, grows up to 40 cm high and thrives in dry to humid, nutrient-poor soils. While it is mostly found in Northern Europe, it also grows in some parts of Asia and North America. You can find it in coniferous or mixed forests, but it may also appear on the open moors or unfertilized fields. Populations grown in the forest are affected by the forestry industry due to dense planting, clear-cutting and land preparation. Despite this threat, the bilberry populations are currently increasing.
Health benefits
The blue/black colour of bilberries is caused by the high content of a specific compound called anthocyanin. Anthocyanins are known antioxidants, which are reported to have several health benefits for instance on cardiovascular diseases and to lower oxidative stresses. Bilberry has also been reported to have anti-inflammatory and lipid-lowering effects. However, scientific studies on these effects are few and with small test groups, meaning more studies should be done to draw reliable conclusions.
Cultivation
Bilberry is a well-known berry in the Nordic countries and popular among foragers. While bilberries are sold in supermarkets, it is currently rarely cultivated, and the berries are still harvested from the wild populations. Furthermore, berries as the blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) and cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) are related to the bilberry, meaning it can be an interesting source for plant breeding. Given its economic value, surprisingly few studies have been done on bilberry. However, a study on the potential of cultivation (Nestby et al., 2011) suggests that there are successful management methods to increase the yield of bilberries. Hybrid berries between lingonberries (Vaccinium vitis-idaea) and bilberries are sometimes found in the wild and have been shown to contain a greater diversity of phenolic compounds, such as anthocyanins, than either parent species, making it interesting for plant breeding purposes.
The bilberry is an adored berry in the Nordic countries, and worthy of more research about both conservation and cultivation.
References:
Botanikportalen. Blåbär. Retrieved on 2022-09-22 https://botanikportalen.se/art/221157
National Centre for Complementary and Integrative Health. Bilberry. Retrieved on 2022-09-23 https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/bilberry
Benzie, I.F.F., Wachtel-Galor, S. (2011) Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects, Second Edition.
Nestby, R., Percival, D.C., Martinussen, I., Opstad, N., & Rohloff, J. (2011). The European Blueberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) and the Potential for Cultivation. A Review.
