June is North Carolina Blueberry Month and July is National Blueberry Month. Celebrate by visiting the NC Blueberry Festival in Burgaw. On June 16 and 17, take part in festival events including a Tour de Blueberry bicycling event, a Blueberry Recipe contest, a 5K run, music and more. Visit ncblueberryfestival.com for more details and information. Learn more about the sweet little berries.
Blueberries are native to North America and early explorers noticed them in their travels in 1615. However, blueberries weren’t commercially grown in the state until 1936.
In North Carolina, 75% of blueberries are sold fresh and the remaining 25% are sold frozen.
See more: A Bounty of Blueberry Recipes
Blueberries are a superfood.
Blueberries are a great way to get vitamins and minerals. One cup has only 42 calories, and blueberries are a great source of vitamin C, vitamin A, iron, potassium and magnesium.
See more: Blueberries and Sweetpotatoes: Two of North Carolina’s Top Crops
North Carolina produces two varieties of blueberries: highbush from mid-May through mid-July, and rabbiteye from mid-May through mid-August.
Highbush blueberries grow on bushes anywhere from 6 to 12 feet tall, and some suggest these berries are better for eating fresh. Rabbiteye blueberry bushes can be up to 20 feet tall. Some consider this variety better for processing into other foods, such as jam and juice.
See more: 4 Fruity Dessert Recipes for Summer
Blueberries are packed full of antioxidants, which help protect the body from stress and diseases while boosting the immune system.
One cup of blueberries has only 84 calories.
See more: Summertime Blueberry Recipes
Sources: nass.usda.gov, northcarolinablueberries.com, ncagr.gov
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Would like recipe for Blueberriy cookies in the summer issue of NC Field mag summer 2021
I WOULD ALSO LIKE THE RECIPE FOR THE BLUEBERRY COOKIES.
Hi June,
Thanks for reaching out, and sorry about that! You can find the recipe for the Blueberry Drop Cookies and more here: https://ncfieldfamily.org/food/a-bounty-of-blueberry-recipes/5/
Thanks!
Rachel Graf
Contributing Editor
NC Field & Family
Hi Wanda,
You can find the recipe for the Blueberry Drop Cookies and more here: https://ncfieldfamily.org/food/a-bounty-of-blueberry-recipes/5/
Thanks for reaching out!
Rachel Graf
Contributing Editor
NC Field & Family
I, too, am looking for the blueberry cookie recipe. The magazine refers you to this page, but it isn’t here.
Hi Debbie,
Sorry about that! You can find our blueberry recipes here: https://ncfieldfamily.org/food/a-bounty-of-blueberry-recipes/
Thanks!
Rachel Graf
Contributing Editor
NC Field & Family
No recipes? Blue Berry Peach Parfait and Blueberry Cookies, Please!
You can find our blueberry recipes here: https://ncfieldfamily.org/food/a-bounty-of-blueberry-recipes/
Thanks!
Rachel Graf
Contributing Editor
NC Field & Family
I’d like the Blueberry Drop Cookie recipe
Hi Susan,
Sorry about that! You can find our blueberry recipes here: https://ncfieldfamily.org/food/a-bounty-of-blueberry-recipes/
Thanks!
Rachel Graf
Contributing Editor
NC Field & Family