Bilberry

Fruit

Bilberry

Bilberries (Vaccinium myrtillus) are small, dark European wild blueberries with intense purple juice that stains and a concentrated sweet-tart forest flavour. They differ from cultivated highbush blueberries in size, intensity, and often habitat. Use in pies, jams, and sauces; cook quickly to preserve aroma. Frozen wild bilberries are common when fresh season is short.

Also known as: Blaeberry, European Blueberry

Track this ingredient

Unit

Cuts & parts

Breeds & varieties

A sample of named types with their own origin and culinary profiles.

View all

Characteristics

Preparations

CookedDriedFreshFrozenJuicedWhole

Provenance

OrganicSeasonalSingle Origin

Sources

Indoor FarmedOutdoor FarmedWild

Traits

DarkIntenseJuicyTart-SweetWild

Nutrition and pairings

Nutrition

Typical values per 100 g edible portion. Nutrient names open the reference page.

Nutrition Facts

Per 100 g edible portion

Calories 54.5

Amount per 100 g

  • Total Fat 0.31 g
  • Saturated Fat 0.05 g
  • Trans Fat 0 g
  • Monounsaturated Fat 0.1 g
  • Polyunsaturated Fat 0.11 g
  • Cholesterol 0 mg
  • Sodium 5.15 mg
  • Salt 0.01 g
  • Total Carbohydrate 12.5 g
  • Dietary Fibre 2.07 g
  • Total Sugars 9.45 g
  • Complex / starch 1 g
  • Protein 0.77 g
  • Water 81 g
Detailed nutrients

Fruit energy is mostly natural sugars with fibre and vitamin C varying by species.

In the kitchen

Culinary partners and combinations that usually underperform with Bilberry.

Pairs well with

Classic and complementary matches

Usually avoid with

Often clash in flavour or tradition

History

Northern Europeans foraged bilberries from heath and forest.

GB

British and Nordic kitchens made bilberry pies and preserves seasonal traditions.

Frozen wild bilberries extended pie season beyond summer.

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