The residents of Maine have a serious love affair with blueberries. Who can blame them? The sweet little fruit is so prevalent in fields across the state that it has become the Maine State Fruit. It can be used in salads, desserts, smoothie recipes, dressings, and even liquor. The wild blueberries are so popular that they became a fruit of legend in Robert McCloskey’s 1948 picture book Blueberries for Sal. In the adorable story, a bear cub and human Sal end up following the wrong mother as they wander through a blueberry patch. No worries, everything turns out happy in the end and everyone gets blueberries.
If you want the freshest possible Maine blueberries, come to the state in late July and August. It seems like everyone is selling them from the back of a truck alongside the road. Consider buying more than one pint because it is hard to stop eating them once you start. You will not have any to bring home if you eat them all as soon as you buy them.
According to the University of Maine, the lowbush blueberry is one of only three commercially grown crops that is native to North America. It can be found in Northern New England and Atlantic Canada. The blueberries are not planted. Instead, they “inhabit” large fields. The Wabanaki people discovered a method of burn-pruning the plants on a two-year cycle in order to harvest the best crops. Essentially, after a field is harvested, the crops are pruned to the ground causing a rebuilding year in the following season. The plants produce blueberries again in the second year. This method is still used in many of the 480 wild blueberry farms across the state. Don’t worry. Most farmers split the fields so that there are fresh blueberries every year. No one wants to wait two years in between fulfilling their blueberry craving.
The innkeeper has been known to use 100 pounds of blueberries each year. When you visit the inn, you have to try the blueberry muffins, blueberry crisp, blueberry slump, blueberry syrup, blueberry stuffed French toast, and baked blueberry and lemon French toast. Once you discover how much you enjoy these delectable treats you should be certain to purchase the innkeeper’s new cookbook.
There are many other places to sample the famous Maine wild blueberry in a multitude of ways:
Split Rock Distilling: Stop in here to get a bottle of organic blueberry vodka. It truly is, as the distillery says, “midsummer on the Maine coast in a bottle.” The fun tasty room offers complimentary tastings, visual tours, and bottle sales. You can also pick up some Wild blueberry organic simple syrup to use in your own tasty cocktail creations. If you are not sure what drinks to make with blueberry you can check out their handy recipes such as Blueberry Basil Bubbles, Wild Blueberry Vodka Slushie, and Blue Chai Old Fashioned.
- Moody’s Diner: The famous diner is best known for their Maine wild blueberry pie. As a full diner you can always get the blueberry pancakes if you prefer your fruit in the morning. Then again, we will not judge if you decide to start your day with a slice of blueberry pie instead of the pancakes. The diner opened in 1927 and now boasts a gift shop with “I’m a Moody Person” t-shirts.
- Coastal Maine Popcorn Co.: The shop opened in Boothbay in 2008 and now boasts 40 flavors of popcorn. Try Blueberries & Cream or Maine Blueberry Pancake. The shop also features even more unique flavors including Street Taco, Spicy Coconut Curry, Root Beer, and, of course, classic Butter.
- Sarah’s Scoops: Save room after dinner to try a blueberry float. The doggy friendly walk-up ice cream stand is open seasonally.
- Footbridge Brewery: Real Maine blueberries are used in the Why So Blue blonde ale. It may sound like you will be drinking syrup but all of the sugar is fermented out in the beer making process. What is left is a dry and light beer. The family-friendly tasting room boasts many other hand-crafted artisanal ales to try.
- Nautical Nutrition: Feel good about your healthy food choices with a protein shake. Blueberry is one of the many fruity flavors. You can also try to trick your brain with the blueberry muffin flavor.
- Downeast Candies: Blueberry taffy is a perfect gift to bring home for coworkers and friends. Get an assortment of flavors or just stick with blueberry.
