In August, the whole of Quebec explodes with flavor! Indeed, it’s at this pivotal time of year that self-picking is at its peak. The harvests are in full swing, especially those of the blueberry fields, and those blue pearls with which we renew acquaintance as soon as the strawberry and raspberry season comes to an end. There are a thousand and one reasons why we love them. Not only are they delicious and crunchy, they also have more benefits than any other berry. As proof, here are some arguments to convince you to set out right away to conquer this incredible blueberry.
A local tradition
Collecting blue pearls, whether wild (lowbush blueberries) or cultivated (highbush blueberries), is nothing new in Quebec. It was in the mid-1960s that the first blueberry growers’ cooperatives realized the immense potential of this crop.1 Since then, blueberry acreage has grown steadily, and the fields are teeming with pickers. Young and old alike take pleasure in this activity, which, year after year, is a delicious way to replenish provisions.
A health ally
Outre le bonheur de les cueillir au grand air, de passer du temps en famille, de se dégourdir et de s’amuser dans les champs, les bleuets ont réellement des bienfaits sur la santé globale. Un bon exemple, le bleuet sauvage du Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean possède les plus puissants antioxydants (et en plus grande quantité) que n’importe quel autre aliment. Sans quoi, on lui accorde des vertus contre les troubles du vieillissement tels que les maladies cardiovasculaires, les cancers, les problèmes d’équilibre, de mémoire, en plus de prévenir les soucis au niveau du système urinaire ou oculaire. Pas mal non, pour un si petit fruit!? Pas étonnant qu’il porte une mini couronne, un véritable élixir de longue vie.
Blueberries, everywhere, all the time!
As you know, blueberry production in the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region is the largest in the province. There are almost 400 growers in the area, over 28,000 hectares in operation and no less than 600 million pounds harvested annually. But despite these astronomical figures, there are plenty of other places to grow blueberries all over Quebec. Particularly in the fertile lands of the Côte-Nord, the Quebec City region, the Laurentians, Chaudière-Appalaches and Montérégie. We invite you to take a look at the directory of recognized Terroir et Saveurs du Québec establishments offering U-pick blueberries. As a bonus, it’s highly likely that you’ll find your new favorite farm!
A great activity
U-pick, what a great way to combine business with pleasure, or rather, to kill two birds with one stone! Firstly, by visiting one of Quebec’s producers, you can’t hope for better freshness, and secondly, because you’ve picked them yourself, these blueberries will be the best you’ve ever eaten. That’s a promise!
Otherwise, pick-your-own is an excellent excuse to organize a getaway, to meet artisans who have developed a unique experience with blueberries as its cornerstone. A fine example is Bleuets du Vire-Crêpes, in Chaudière-Appalaches, which not only offers pick-your-own, but also suggests dining at its restaurant, refreshments at its crèmerie, picnics, farm visits and even a show. The same goes for Domaine de l’Orée des Bois, in the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region, which now offers yurt accommodation.
After picking, the boutique
A visit to the boutique is a must for every picker! Your other reward. On the shelves, you’ll be amazed at how this little fruit reinvents itself. From Délices du Lac-Saint-Jean, the ECONOMUSEUM® of jam-making, wild blueberries are dipped in dark chocolate, powdered in cocktails, teas, jellies, sauces, soaps and creams. And let’s not forget the abundance of alcohols and liqueurs, such as those produced by Domaine du Cageot, the first artisanal alcoholic beverage production center in the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region, or the famous bagosse from the Magdalen Islands.
1001 ways to cook them
Sauvages ou cultivés, les bleuets se savourent en tellement de versions: nature (souvent à même le plan pendant l’autocueillette!), en bol avec un filet de crème, en garniture sur votre yogourt ou céréales préférées, en coulis sur des gaufres ou des crêpes, dans des salades, en smoothies, en cocktail, en tarte, en accompagnement sur une viande, poisson, fromage, pizza, etc. On pourrait vous énumérer encore longtemps tout ce qu’il est possible de mijoter avec vos perles bleues fraîchement récoltées.
Good to know…
- Harvesting generally peaks in the first two weeks of August, and can extend into September.
- The fruit is picked when it is completely blue. If any white or green appears, it’s not yet ripe.
- In addition to taste, highbush blueberries can be distinguished from wild (lowbush) blueberries above all by their size, sometimes being 3 to 5 times larger.
- In Quebec, there are several dozen highbush blueberry cultivars. The most common are: Northland, Blueray, Reka, Duke, Bluecrop, Hardyblue, Polaris, Northblue and Bluetta, to name but a few.
- After picking, without washing, place your blueberries in the refrigerator. This way, they’ll keep longer.
- For year-round enjoyment, freeze or seal in a jar.
At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter what drives you to pick your own, or what type of blueberry you prefer, the most important thing is to get out into the fields, fill your basket with pride, and enjoy an exceptional experience that only happens once a year!
1 Source: Le Syndicat des producteurs de bleuets du Québec (S.P.B.Q.)
2 Source: Regroupement des bleuetières de la Chaudière-Appalaches
