Blueberry

The Good Food Glossary

Pronounce it: bloo-ber-ree

Small, round, smooth-skinned and fleshy with tiny seeds, blueberries grow on shrubs on peaty moors and uplands, predominantly in North America and New Zealand. They have a balanced, tart and sweet flavour, although the cultivated type (which is what's mainly available in the UK) has a less intense flavour than the wild variety.

The high levels of phytochemicals, which are thought to help protect against cancer and heart disease, mean blueberries are considered one of the top superfoods for good health.

Availibility

End of June to early September.

Choose the best

Look for plump, indigo blueberries of a fairly uniform size, with a slight silvery bloom. If you're buying a punnet, check that the underside isn't stained - that means the lower level of berries has been crushed.

Prepare it

To eat raw or cooked, just rinse and drain.

Store it

Unwashed, blueberries will keep for up to a week in the salad drawer of the fridge.

Cook it

Eat raw with cream; add to the mix for muffins, breads and pancakes or bake in a pie or tart. Cook in a little water with sugar and some lemon zest to make a topping for baked cheesecake.