The History of Blueberries: From Wild Berries to Global Superfruit

Blueberries may be a staple in muffins, smoothies, and breakfast bowls today, but their story stretches back thousands of years. These little blue gems are more than just delicious—they’re deeply woven into cultural traditions, early medicine, and agricultural innovation.

Indigenous Roots

Long before blueberries were cultivated, they grew wild across North America. Archaeological evidence suggests Indigenous peoples were using blueberries more than 13,000 years ago (Smithsonian Magazine, 2021). Tribes such as the Wabanaki, Cherokee, and Ojibwe gathered blueberries not only as a fresh food source but also dried them to last through the winter.

They were used in pemmican—a high-energy mix of dried meat, fat, and berries—that could last for months. Blueberry root teas were brewed to help with coughs, while dried berries were ground for use in stews and medicinal mixtures (U.S. Forest Service, 2019).

Early Colonial Encounters

When European settlers arrived in North America in the 1600s, they quickly adopted blueberries into their diets, guided by Indigenous knowledge. Colonists used blueberries in puddings, jams, and preserves, and even boiled them to create natural dyes.

The Birth of Cultivation

For centuries, blueberries were only harvested in the wild. That changed in the early 20th century. In 1911, Elizabeth White, the daughter of a cranberry farmer in New Jersey, partnered with USDA botanist Frederick Coville. Together, they experimented with wild blueberry plants, studying soil acidity and plant traits to find the right conditions for cultivation.

By 1916, they had developed the first successful commercial crop of highbush blueberries, and that year the first boxes of cultivated blueberries were sold to the public (U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council, 2023). This breakthrough marked the official start of the blueberry farming industry.

Blueberries Go Global

From those first farms in New Jersey, blueberry cultivation spread rapidly. By the mid-1900s, highbush blueberries were being planted across the United States and Canada. Today, blueberries are grown in over 30 countries worldwide, including Chile, Peru, Poland, Spain, South Africa, and China (FAO, 2022).

Globally, production has skyrocketed: in 1995, the world produced about 280,000 tonnes of blueberries. By 2021, that number had grown to more than 1.8 million tonnes (FAO, 2022).

Canadian Spotlight: Blueberries at Home

Canada is one of the world’s top blueberry producers, harvesting 163,000 tonnes in 2022 worth nearly $276 million CAD (Statistics Canada, 2023). Two main types are grown here:

• Lowbush blueberries (wild), found mainly in the Atlantic provinces, especially Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland & Labrador.

• Highbush blueberries (cultivated), grown in British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec, and parts of the Prairie provinces.

Blueberries growing on bush

Blueberries in Alberta

While Alberta is not a top blueberry-producing province like B.C. or Nova Scotia, it does contribute through smaller-scale farms and local u-pick operations. The cool climate and acidic soils in northern and parkland regions are well-suited to certain varieties of highbush blueberries.

Alberta consumers also play a big role in blueberry demand: fresh imports from B.C., Quebec, and international sources keep local markets stocked year-round. Farmers’ markets across the province often feature blueberries in-season, and frozen berries are a staple in Alberta households for baking, smoothies, and jams.

This mix of small local production and strong consumer demand means blueberries are both a cultural and economic staple for Alberta families—even if large-scale blueberry farming isn’t a provincial powerhouse.

Harvesting Blueberries

Blueberry harvest season usually runs from July to September in Canada, depending on the region and variety. Traditionally, wild blueberries (lowbush) were handpicked using simple wooden rakes or scoops—a method still used today in parts of Atlantic Canada. This careful hand-harvesting ensures the delicate berries aren’t crushed and preserves quality for fresh markets.

On larger farms, especially for cultivated highbush blueberries, mechanical harvesters are now common. These machines gently shake the bushes, allowing ripe berries to fall onto catching plates before being collected, cleaned, and sorted. While mechanical harvesting is efficient, handpicking is still preferred for fresh-market berries because it minimizes bruising.

Regardless of the method, blueberries are harvested at peak ripeness—they don’t continue to ripen after picking. Once gathered, they are cooled quickly to maintain freshness and shipped within days to markets around the world.

Blueberries as a Superfood

In recent decades, blueberries have earned a reputation as a “superfood.” They are packed with antioxidants—especially anthocyanins, the compounds that give them their deep blue colour. Research shows blueberries are linked to benefits such as improved brain health, lower risk of heart disease, and reduced inflammation (Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 2010).

Just one cup of blueberries (about 148 grams) provides 24% of daily vitamin C needs, 36% of vitamin K, and 4 grams of fiber—all for only 84 calories (USDA FoodData Central, 2022).

From Past to Present

The history of blueberries is a story of tradition, science, and resilience. From Indigenous harvesting and cultural practices to modern farms and global exports, blueberries have come a long way. Yet at their heart, they remain what they have always been: a simple, nourishing gift from the land.

So, the next time you toss a handful into your morning yogurt or enjoy a slice of blueberry pie, you’re not just savouring a sweet treat—you’re tasting history.

Blueberry Fun Facts!

Here are some quick bites you can share with your students, family, or friends:

• Canada produces about 80% of the world’s wild (lowbush) blueberries.

• Blueberries are one of the only naturally blue foods found in nature.

• A single blueberry bush can live for more than 50 years.

• Each blueberry has a tiny crown (the star shape) at its top, often called a “calyx” - it is the remnant of the sepal (the base of the flower).

• The U.S. and Canada together produce more than half of the world’s blueberries.

• July is National Blueberry Month in North America.

• Blueberries float in water because they have a small pocket of air inside.

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References

• Smithsonian Magazine (2021). Blueberries: An Ancient North American Berry.

• U.S. Forest Service (2019). Wild Blueberry Factsheet.

• U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (2023). History of Blueberries.

• Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) (2022). Blueberry Production Data.

• Statistics Canada (2023). Fruit and Vegetable Production.

• Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry (2010). Health Benefits of Blueberries.

• USDA FoodData Central (2022). Blueberries, raw – Nutrition Facts.