Tag: Bilberry vs blueberry

Wild bilberries, a native European superfood, can contain up to four times more antioxidants than their cultivated blueberry cousins. Learning how to eat bilberry allows you to harness its unique tart flavor when fresh and its richer taste when cooked, making it a versatile and healthy addition to your meals.

Bilberries belong to the large *Vaccinium* genus, which also includes many familiar and similar berries. While wild European bilberries are renowned for their high anthocyanin content and intense flavor, several other berries, both wild and cultivated, share similar characteristics and nutritional benefits, making them excellent alternatives. This guide explores what is similar to a bilberry, detailing their unique properties and uses.

Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) is a European relative of the blueberry, famously known for its high concentration of antioxidants called anthocyanins. It is most prominently associated with eye health, with historical anecdotes claiming its use for enhancing night vision and modern research exploring its potential benefits for conditions like eye fatigue, dry eyes, and retinopathy.

With an average pH value around 2.8, the bilberry is indeed acidic, which contributes to its characteristically intense and tart flavor. This European native contains high levels of organic acids and antioxidant compounds that shape both its taste and impressive nutritional profile.

Over 80% of Swedish land is covered by forest, providing a vast natural habitat for wild berries. It is within these expansive woodlands that the famed Nordic blueberries grow, which are actually a different species known as bilberries. Unlike cultivated blueberries, these wild fruits are smaller, with a vibrant dark flesh, and are harvested from pristine northern forests.

While both are heralded as antioxidant powerhouses, wild European bilberries are known to contain up to four times more potent anthocyanin compounds than their cultivated blueberry cousins. Understanding this difference is crucial when deciding which is better bilberry or blueberry supplements for your specific health needs.