WRITTEN BY AISLINN SARNACKI
When the last glacier receded from the Down East area about 12,000 years ago, it left behind sandy soil and rocky-strewn barrens that became populated with a very special fruit: Maine’s famous wild blueberry.
Bursting with flavor, these nutritious berries were tended and gathered by the indigenous people of the land, who used them for food and medicine. Today, they are one of Maine’s most iconic products, featured in pies and jams, ice cream and pancakes. The list of products goes on and on.
Maine grows 99 percent of the wild blueberries sold in the U.S., according to Eric Venturini, executive director of the Wild Blueberry Commission of Maine. More than 500 wild blueberry farmers grow up to 100 million pounds of fruit per year.
“Folks are proud of this unique industry where you have the incredible combination of the food being truly wild food and yet it’s stewarded by farmers,” said Venturini. “Every Mainer knows that wild blueberries are better than ordinary blueberries. It’s because they’re healthier, but it’s also because they taste far better.”
When Maine’s blueberries become ripe this summer, here are a few ways you can enjoy them and support local businesses in the process.
Maine Wild Blueberry Weekend
One of the best ways you can connect with local blueberry farmers and enjoy their products is by participating in the fourth annual Maine Wild Blueberry Weekend, Aug. 3-4, at select farms and businesses throughout the state. Fashioned after the long-standing Maine Maple Sunday, the weekend features farm tours, opportunities to rake and pick blueberries, hay rides, guided hikes through barrens, special blueberry-centric products, and more.
“You can meet the actual farmer, ask them questions,” Venturini said. “You can make a direct connection with local businesses that often have been growing wild blueberries for seven, eight, sometimes nine generations.”
At many farms, you can purchase blueberries in bulk to be frozen and used throughout the year, so bring a cooler.
“I don’t know about you, but my family and I go through probably 50 pounds a year,” Venturini said. “It’s just so versatile. You can put it in yogurts, smoothies, pancakes, and cereal.”
A list of participating farms and businesses will be updated as the weekend draws near at wildblueberries.com.
Machias Wild Blueberry Festival
Now in its 47th year, this three-day event is a mixture of contests, entertainment, and vendors, many of which offer blueberry-packed or blueberry-inspired products. A project of the Centre Street Congregational Church, it’s slated for Aug. 16-18 at locations throughout downtown Machias.
Each year, the work of a local artist is selected for the official festival T-shirt. And in years past, the festival has included baked bean suppers, footraces, parades, and more. Admission is free. For more information, visit machiasblueberry.com.
Wander Wild Blueberry Land
A domed building constructed to look like a massive blueberry is located on the side of Route 1 in Columbia Falls. You really can’t miss it. Surrounded by gardens, it looks like something that should be featured in the board game Candy Land.
Wild Blueberry Land first opened its doors in 2001. In addition to being a fun place to take photos, the property features a small blueberry museum and offers blueberry-related gifts and pies. Learn more at wildblueberryland.com.
“It has become such a landmark and is so beloved by so many,” said Marie Emerson, who built it with her husband Dell Emerson. “It’s a fun place for people to come and be happy.”
The Emersons also own Wescogus Wild Blueberries, a farm located in Addison where they grow and harvest what they lovingly refer to as Maine’s “precious blue gems.”
Buy local blueberry creations
Blueberry jams, jellies, pastries, soda, chocolates, candies, beer, BBQ sauce — if you can dream it, it has likely been done. Blueberry products abound at Maine gift shops and farm stands. And at restaurants, the berry often graces the menu in salads, sauces, and desserts.
In the Down East region, a few top locations to enjoy blueberry pie are Helen’s Restaurant in Machias, Water Street Inn and B&B in Lubec, and Nook and Cranny Restaurant in Baileyville.
Pick your own
If you enjoy rolling up your sleeves and getting your hands dirty, or stained purple, there are many opportunities to pick wild blueberries throughout the Down East region.
A few farms invite visitors to pick blueberries for a small fee. For example, Beddington Ridge Farm in Beddington opens a pick-your-own area from late July through mid to late August, on specific days and times. You can use their rakes and either bring your own containers or buy some of theirs. The price is $4 per pound.
Many farms, however, do not allow visitors to pick their own, so it’s important to never enter a blueberry field without permission.
Hike and snack
Wild blueberries grow in abundance along many Down East hiking trails, especially in the mountains and along the edge of fields. Picking for personal consumption is usually permitted, but check visitor guidelines first.
To spot them, keep an eye out for low-lying plants with small, pointed leaves and clusters of blue berries that can vary in shade. A similar berry you may find along trails at the same time is black huckleberry, which is also edible but not quite as flavorful or juicy.
To learn more about Maine’s wild blueberries, visit wildblueberrycommissionofmaine.org.
