Fruit
Vaccinium angustifolium
A tier
Vaccinium angustifolium is lowbush or wild blueberry—low mat-forming shrubs yielding small, intense, blue-black berries with concentrated flavour and aroma. Maine, Canadian Maritimes, and similar barrens define the commercial wild crop. Smaller size means more skin and flavour per volume—ideal for pancakes, muffins, and IQF ingredient fruit. Fresh wild packs are seasonal and prized. Species differs from highbush in stature and berry intensity; both are true blueberries.
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Characteristics
Preparations
Traits
Grading systems
Grades are placed along a shared scale so systems can be compared side by side.
History
Indigenous nations harvested lowbush blueberries as a staple dried and fresh food.
Commercial wild lowbush management developed in northeastern barrens.
Frozen wild blueberries became a major processed-fruit industry.
Wild angustifolium retained premium status for flavour intensity.