July 23, 1999

     In Search of Wild Blueberries

Blueberries have small, soft seeds, are juicy and sweet and have a distinct and individual taste.  Many American Indian tribes used them for food, both fresh and dried.  Blueberries not only taste great, they are nutritionally valuable, containing vitamins A and C, calcium, phosphorus, potassium and some of the B vitamins.

The blueberry is probably the most sought-after of all wild berries in this part of the world.  This tiny fruit lures thousands of Minnesotans to the north woods, in numbers now comparable (in some locations) to the opening of the deer, grouse or fishing seasons.  Many people plan vacations during the ripe berry season.  A successful blueberry outing can be talked about for years.

The Arrowhead Region in northeastern Minnesota has long been popular with berry pickers.  Also, the Warroad, International Falls, Bemidji and Lake George areas offer good blueberry picking.  Blueberry plants grow in the sandy, acid soil of dry, open forests and clearings, and in rocky areas in the region of coniferous forests.  We usually hunt for blueberries in jackpine forests from mid-July through August.