The most important etiquette rules on how to serve and eat blueberries. Tips to be the ideal host or the perfect guest at the dining table.
What blueberry etiquette is
Blueberry etiquette is the set of rules to properly serve and eat blueberries. Such rules help avoid behaviors that can disrespect hosts or guests, or make you look unpolite.
If you are hosting, follow blueberries etiquette to serve them to your guests appropriately.
If you are a guest, respect blueberries etiquette rules to properly eat and enjoy them.
What you should know about blueberries
Blueberries are small, round fruits, produced by the eponymous shrub. They are native to North America. Today, around 60% of the world’s production comes from the United States or Canada.
There are many varieties of blueberries. In general, they are round in shape. Dark blue to violet in color. Firm in texture. Sweet and slightly acidic in taste.
Etiquette rules to serve and eat blueberries
1) How to store blueberries
Store blueberries in the fridge. Keep them in their original packaging or place them in a sealed container. They can last for up to 2 weeks.
In the freezer, blueberries can last for up to 12 months.
You can keep blueberries at room temperature if you are going to eat them on the same day.
2) How to clean blueberries
Some growers use pesticides or similar products to protect their plants. Thus, you should wash blueberries thoroughly.
Place blueberries in a bowl with fresh water. Keep them there for 5 to 10 minutes. Then, quickly rinse them under running water. You can dry them with a cotton or hemp cloth.
3) How to cook blueberries
Blueberries have a distinctive flavor and many health benefits. However, most varieties lose both their taste and qualities if you cook them. Small, wild blueberries are the ones best fit for cooking.
Fresh blueberries are perfect for yogurt and cereals, fruit salads, pancakes, waffles, crepes, or ice cream. They are a perfect ingredient for fresh juices, smoothies, or milkshakes. You can even add them to savory meat dishes or a cheese platter.
You can use blueberries to make purées, sauces, or jams.
Bake blueberries in muffins, scones, or pies. Another use is for making blueberry wine.
4) How to serve & present blueberries
You can serve blueberries for breakfast, a snack, or dessert.
Serve them washed, in a serving bowl. Present them with a serving spoon.
You can accompany blueberries with yogurt, whipped cream, mascarpone, or ice cream.
If you serve blueberries to accompany a course, such as a cheese platter, serve them in smaller cups. Present them with a teaspoon.
Serve blueberries slightly chilled. Alternatively, serve them at room temperature. Take them out of the fridge a few minutes before serving.
5) Food and wine to pair blueberries with
Blueberries are ideal with dairy products. Yogurt. Mascarpone. Cream. Or milk-based food such as gelato or Kefir. They can pair well with some cheeses too.
They match well with crepes, pancakes, or waffles. Their flavor goes well with chocolate or vanilla.
Blueberries go well with other berries. Such as strawberries, raspberries, or blackberries. You can pair them in fruit salads with bananas, apples, peaches, or mango.
Sparkling wines pair best with blueberries. are with sparkling wines. Such as Champagne or Prosecco. Dessert wines are appropriate too. You can try Moscato, Muscat, Passito, or Brachetto.
6) How to eat blueberries
Eat blueberries with a dessert spoon or teaspoon. Alternatively, you can use a larger spoon. Forks are not appropriate, due to their small size and round shape. On an informal occasion, you can eat them with your fingers.
Eat a couple of blueberries at a time. Do not overstuff your mouth.
Do not discard the skin.
Blueberry etiquette: the worst mistakes
The Rude Index identifies and ranks negative behaviors.
A high score (8-10) means that the behavior has the potential to trigger a conflict with others. A medium score (4-7) means that the behavior risks making you look inelegant and unsophisticated. More about the Rude Index and its methodology here.
Avoid the worst blueberry etiquette mistakes.
- 8/10. Serving spoiled blueberries.
- 8/10. Serving unwashed blueberries.
- 7/10. Serving unripe blueberries.
- 6/10. Putting more than 2 blueberries in your mouth at a time.
Additional information for properly serving blueberries
How many calories per serving?
Counting calories is important to stay healthy and to correctly plan a menu.
Blueberries contain 57 calories per 100 grams. The calories in a single blueberry depend on its size. On average, one blueberry contains 1 calorie.
How to buy the best blueberries
A crucial factor in blueberry etiquette is to serve the best product possible to your guests.
Season and availability
In North America, the blueberry harvest is between April and September.
However, some countries in the southern hemisphere are big growers of blueberries too. Thus, it is possible to find fresh blueberries throughout the year.
Choose the best
To buy the best blueberries, check their firmness. They should be firm. Do not buy them if they are too hard or soggy.
Avoid frozen blueberries, as they have less flavor and nutrition.
Alternatives to blueberries
The best substitutes, in terms of nutrition, are:
- Blackberries.
- Raspberries.
- Cranberries.
- Grapes, especially the red varieties.