Bilberries grow in acidic soils. They are mostly found in subarctic regions. They are related to North American blueberries or the cranberries. They contain a big quantity of antioxidants and they can help in prevention or reduction of macular degeneration. They are produced in paired or single berries and not in clusters, like the blueberries. The fruit is also smaller than the blueberry fruits and the taste is fuller. The bilberries are also darker in color and they can even appear as black with a blue shade.
The fruit pulp is dark red unlike the blueberries that have a green flesh. There are some European dentists that use the bilberry juice in order to prove how children have not washed their teeth properly. The extract will show where the teeth have not been brushed.
These fruits are difficult to grow and this is why they are better harvested from the wild. They grow wild in Norway, Finland, UK, Irelands, Romania, Poland and Ukraine. They can be found in private gardens as well as they have a nice look. And in the stores all over the world they can be easily purchased. The fresh ones can be available for about 20 to 25 euros per pound in gourmet stores. They can also be purchased in tea extracts or jams. In Ireland their name is fraughan and they are a traditional fruit very appreciated by the locals.
Usually they are harvested in August. The Gaelic people celebrate the harvest by having a nice festival in the honor of the fruit. It is said that if the crop of bilberries is rich, the rest of the crops will be as well and that means a good year for agriculture. So try this fruit if you get the change and experience a positive effect on health.
Photo source: timo_w2s on Flickr