Know Before You Buy

There’s a reason people rave about the fantastic health benefits of wild blueberries. But what makes these berries so special? Where do they come from and how do they grow? And why are they considered such a powerful superfood? At Berry Central International, we want everyone to know why Nova Scotia wild blueberries in particular top the chart for being the best blueberries in Canada.

Wild Blueberries vs Cultivated Berries

Most blueberries people see in grocery stores are cultivated blueberries (also called “highbush blueberries”) — not wild, or “lowbush blueberries”. They are bigger, plumper, and lighter in colour than wild blueberries. Wild blueberries are smaller, darker, and have more variation in size and shape. This is because cultivated blueberries come from limited genetic stock, where there are hundreds if not thousands of wild blueberry lines in a single field. It’s this genetic diversity that makes wild blueberries so much more healthy and delicious!

Wild Blueberry Farms

Wild blueberries aren’t planted in rows like many other crops. They only occur naturally in colder climates, like Canada’s. They love rocky fields with bare, acidic soil called “barrens”, and wherever they decide to grow is where the farmers establish their operation! Since this natural landscape is what makes wild blueberries so much healthier than their cultivated counterparts, many wild blueberry farmers are staunch practitioners and advocates for environmental protection and sustainability.

A Healthy Superfood

These small colourful berries are not only packed with flavour, but are also known as one of the best superfoods. Their dark colour is caused by their very high antioxidant levels. Antioxidants help your immune system fight excess free radicals; too many of which can cause a multitude of health issues. More research on this topic can be found in our Resources section!