What You Didn’t Know About Blueberries

We know that blueberries are delicious and nutritious. We also know that they are a versatile ingredient. They are perfect for snacking or cooking. I even used them on my on-and-off pursue (more like attempt) of a healthy diet. It is undeniable that blueberries bring pleasure and ease into helping us eat well and enjoy our food.

These are the few things we know about the blueberries we love. But surprisingly, there are still a lot we don’t know about them. Here are some nice-to-know facts about blueberries.

Blueberries protect against memory loss.

A study suggested that eating at least one serving of blueberries a week can slow cognitive decline by several years. Another study found that berries might protect the brain by clearing toxic proteins that accumulate there.

Blueberries can be used as a natural food dye.

According to the Produce for Better Health Foundation’s Fruits & Veggies More Matters campaign, early American colonists boiled them with milk to make gray paint.

Perfect blueberries should be “dusty” in color.

The silvery sheen on blueberries is called the bloom. It helps to seal the fruit’s moisture and is safe to eat. We just need to wash them thoroughly before eating. Keep in mind that too much rinsing softens the blueberries which may spoil them quickly.

Blueberries are literally bursting with nutrients and flavor, yet they’re very low in calories.

Sounds interesting for mommies like me who are into the I-wanna-get-back-to-my-pre-pregnancy-body game, right? They’re full of dietary fiber for improved digestion. Plus, there was recent research where they analyzed 60 fruits and vegetables for their antioxidant capability and blueberries came out on top, rating highest in their capacity to destroy free radicals! Researchers continue to find new benefits as they have a category of phytonutrients called polyphenols, which are known for their antioxidant properties.

In addition, blueberries are a great source of immunity boosting-vitamin C, plus vitamin K and manganese for bone health. Scientific research on benefits to cardiovascular health, insulin response, gut health, brain health, physical exercise, and other areas are also being conducted. Blueberries may yield even more healthy goodness than we know!

These are some nice-to-know facts about blueberries and I am also happy to let you know that we can now grab a bag of frozen U.S. Blueberries as they’re available throughout the year in supermarkets nationwide! Now it’s easier and more possible to make frozen blueberries a freezer staple!

Frozen blueberries from the U.S. are frozen straight from the farm, with all the good stuff locked in – nutrients, freshness, and flavor. Most Filipinos recognize blueberry jam from visits to the highlands, but having blueberries readily available invites time for some recipe experimenting.

So here, I am sharing with you my simple recipe of the Blueberry Muffin I tried to do using these frozen U.S. Blueberries!

Blueberry Muffins with Streusel Topping

FOR THE MUFFIN:

• 2 cups (300g) all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1 cup unsalted butter
• 1 cup (200g) sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup (120ml) milk
• 2 cups (500g) fresh or frozen blueberries

FOR THE TOPPING:

• 1/2 cup (100g) light brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 3 tbsp. butter

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F. Spray a 12-count muffin pan with nonstick spray or use cupcake liners. Grease/line a second pan with 2 liners because this recipe yields about 14 muffins. Set aside.
2. Mix all of the streusel ingredients together. Set aside.
3. Whisk the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt together in a large bowl. Set aside.
4. Using a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle or whisk attachment, beat the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together on high speed until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes. On medium speed, add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add the dry ingredients and milk into the wet ingredients and beat until no flour pockets remain. Fold in the blueberries.
5. Spoon the batter into liners, filling them all the way to the top. Top each with streusel, gently pressing it down into the surface so it sticks. Bake for 30 minutes. Allow the muffins to cool for 5 minutes in the muffin pan, then transfer to a wire rack to continue cooling.
6. Muffins stay fresh covered at room temperature for a few days or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

This is so easy to prepare and my kids and husband really loved it! Aside from muffins, cakes, pies, and other baked goodies, frozen U.S. blueberries can also be used in cocktails, drinks, salads, and even in savory dishes! Try them in recipes for pork tenderloin, meatballs, chicken, pizzas, burgers, sauces, and sandwiches. They’re a highly versatile and nutritious ingredient.

So what’s not to love about blueberries? With all those vitamins, nutrients and the lovely blue color and sweet taste? We’ve been stacking them in the freezer since! And guess what? You can easily find Farmers Best Frozen Highbush Blueberries in the frozen section of supermarkets everywhere! Exclusive to Rustan’s Supermarket outlets are brands offering frozen U.S. blueberries like Essential Everyday and Sunny Select.

For more information on U.S. blueberries, go to http://www.blueberrycouncil.org. Go ahead and follow U.S. Blueberries Philippines on Facebook and Instagram for more blueberry cooking tips, recipes, videos, and trivia.

Do you want to win 3 packs of U.S Blueberries? Here’s a GIVEAWAY!

1. Like Dyosa The Momma and US Blueberries PHL Facebook pages.
2. Follow @dyosathemomma and @usblueberriesphl on Instagram.
3. Share your own frozen blueberry recipe on Facebook and Instagram with #USBlueberries and tag us! (remember to use frozen U.S. blueberries from these brands: Farmers Best, Essential Everyday, and Sunny Select.)
4. Like and tag 2 friends on the Facebook and Instagram post of this giveaway

I will be choosing 3 winners to receive 3 packs of U.S. Blueberries each on December 18. This giveaway is open for Metro Manila residents only. Join now and let’s explore the wonderful goodness of frozen U.S. Blueberries together!

Love,

Mommy Nish