Nutrition Diet: What food has bilberry in it?

October 4, 2025 •

4 min read

Bilberries are small, dark berries native to northern Europe and Asia, known for their high concentration of antioxidants. So, what food has bilberry in it? While not as common as their blueberry cousins, bilberries are a versatile ingredient found in a wide range of culinary applications, from traditional European desserts to modern health products.

Quick Summary

Bilberries are found in an array of culinary dishes, including jams, pies, sauces, and desserts, especially throughout Europe. They are also incorporated into modern recipes like smoothies and baked goods and can be consumed as a tea or in supplement form.

Key Points

Source: Bilberries are wild European berries, not cultivated like most blueberries.
Flavor Profile: They are smaller and have a tangier, more intense taste than standard blueberries.
Culinary Uses: Common bilberry foods include jams, pies, sauces, smoothies, and baked goods.
Nutrient Content: Bilberries are exceptionally rich in antioxidants, especially anthocyanins, which give them their dark color and potential health benefits.
Supplement Availability: Beyond whole foods, bilberry is also available in supplement and extract form, often used for eye health and circulation support.
Distinguishing Feature: Unlike blueberries, bilberries have deep red or purple flesh that will easily stain your hands and clothes.

What are Bilberries?

Bilberries (Vaccinium myrtillus) are wild berries that grow on low bushes in forests and moorlands across northern Europe, Iceland, and parts of Asia and North America. Often confused with blueberries, they belong to the same plant genus but are distinct in several ways. Unlike cultivated blueberries, which have a light-colored, whitish flesh, bilberries are smaller, have a deeper blue-black skin, and contain vibrant red or purple flesh that can stain hands and clothes easily. They possess a more intense, tangier flavor profile than their sweeter, milder relatives.

Traditional European Bilberry Dishes

Across the regions where they grow, bilberries are a cherished wild food, inspiring numerous traditional recipes. These recipes showcase the berry's versatility and rich flavor profile, from sweet desserts to flavorful beverages.

Bilberry Jam: A classic preservation method, bilberry jam is a staple in many households. Its robust, tangy flavor makes it a perfect accompaniment for toast, scones, or yogurt.
Bilberry Pies and Tarts: A beloved dessert, bilberry pie is a traditional treat in places like northern Europe and the UK. In France, a similar dessert is known as tarte aux myrtilles. The berries are baked into flaky pastry, often with a sprinkle of sugar and sometimes with apples to absorb excess juice.
Scandinavian Bilberry Soup (Blåbärssoppa): In Nordic countries, a sweet bilberry soup is served either hot or cold, sometimes with a dollop of skyr (a thick, cultured dairy product) in Iceland. It is a nourishing and delicious way to enjoy the seasonal fruit.
Romanian Liqueur (Afinată): In Romania, bilberries are steeped to make afinata, a sweet, fruity liqueur.
French Crêpes with Bilberries: In the Brittany region of France, bilberries are often used as a flavoring for crêpes, adding a tart counterpoint to the delicate pancakes.

Modern Uses in Food and Drinks

As their nutritional benefits have gained wider recognition, bilberries have found their way into modern culinary applications, often substituting for or complementing blueberries in recipes. Their intense flavor requires less volume to achieve a significant taste impact.

Smoothies: Adding frozen or fresh bilberries to a smoothie is an easy way to boost its antioxidant content. They pair well with bananas, yogurt, and other berries for a vibrant and healthy start to the day.
Muffins and Pancakes: For baked goods, bilberries can be folded into muffin or pancake batter. Their smaller size and more intense flavor provide bursts of fruitiness throughout the finished product.
Dessert Sauces: Cooked bilberries can be pureed into a simple sauce to drizzle over ice cream, yogurt, or pastries, providing a rich, purple color and a tangy flavor.
Teas: Bilberry leaf tea, available from specialty retailers, offers a tangy flavor and is also rich in beneficial compounds.
Yogurt Toppings: Fresh or thawed bilberries can be sprinkled over yogurt or granola for added flavor and texture.

Comparing Bilberries and Blueberries


Feature	Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus)	Blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum)
Flesh Color	Red or purple throughout	Light green or whitish
Anthocyanin Content	Generally higher	Generally lower
Taste	More intense, tangy flavor	Milder, sweeter flavor
Availability	Primarily wild-harvested in Europe; available fresh or frozen regionally, or as extracts/supplements	Widely cultivated and available fresh, frozen, or processed globally
Staining	High potential for staining due to deep purple flesh	Low potential for staining
Plant Habit	Low-growing shrub	Can be low-bush or high-bush depending on variety

Beyond the Whole Fruit: Supplements and Extracts

For those without access to fresh or frozen berries, bilberry is widely available in supplement and extract form. The high anthocyanin content is the focus of these products, which are often marketed for their potential health benefits, particularly concerning eye health and circulatory problems. It is important to note that while bilberry has been used in traditional European medicine for centuries, the scientific evidence for many of these claims is still being investigated. For example, the legendary stories of WWII pilots eating bilberry jam to improve night vision have not been conclusively proven. When considering supplements, it is always best to consult with a healthcare provider to determine the appropriate dosage and to confirm their suitability for your specific health needs.

Conclusion

Bilberries are far more than just a European cousin of the blueberry. These intensely flavored, nutrient-dense wild berries offer a delicious way to enhance your diet through both classic and modern food preparations. From traditional pies and jams to healthy smoothies and teas, the answer to the question, "What food has bilberry in it?" is a rich and diverse culinary history waiting to be explored. While supplements are available, incorporating the whole fruit into your meals remains an excellent way to benefit from its full spectrum of antioxidants and fiber.

Learn more about bilberry and its properties

Frequently Asked Questions

Bilberries have a red or purple flesh, a more intense and tangy taste, and grow wild in Europe, while cultivated blueberries have whitish flesh, a milder taste, and are widely available.

While bilberries can be found in some parts of North America, they are primarily wild-harvested in Europe. They are not widely cultivated like blueberries and are most easily found in the U.S. as supplements or extracts.

Yes, bilberries can be eaten raw when fully ripe. They have a slightly acidic but sweet taste. Be mindful that they can easily stain your fingers due to their rich color.

Traditionally, bilberries are used to make jams, pies, tarts, and sauces. They are also used in liqueurs like Romanian afinata and Scandinavian bilberry soup (blåbärssoppa).

In modern cooking, bilberries can be added to smoothies, baked into muffins or pancakes, and used to create vibrant dessert sauces or toppings for yogurt.

Yes, bilberry supplements are widely available, often in capsule or extract form. These products are typically standardized for their anthocyanin content and are promoted for eye health and other benefits.

Bilberries are a rich source of antioxidants, specifically anthocyanins, which are compounds believed to help reduce oxidative stress and inflammation.