The Russians are tightly addicted to blueberries: what is the reason for the hype

Compared to 2022, berry consumption increased by 47%

Russia still treats berries as a seasonal product, partly because of objective factors (in winter, berries are much more expensive and taste much worse), partly because of a longstanding habit. However, this year, compared to 2022, berry consumption in Russia has increased by 35%. At the same time, blueberries are the most popular of the year: compared to 2022, they added 47%. In January-April 2023 alone, blueberry sales grew by 78% year-on-year, and this figure promises to grow even more in the summer months. Why did the Russians love blueberries so much, MK figured it out.

Blueberries can easily be called a “fashionable berry”, because every year more and more specialists in a healthy lifestyle and proper nutrition, including popular bloggers, are advised to include it in the diet. Blueberries are often referred to as a “superfood” (the so-called products that contain a loading dose of nutrients). Indeed, in cafes and restaurants, as well as in the accounts of opinion leaders, you can increasingly see a “healthy breakfast” of yogurt or a bowl of oatmeal, supplemented with blueberries. Moreover, they call for it not only in summer – blueberries are so useful that, according to experts, they can be forgiven even for the high cost out of season.

It is because of the high cost and due to the fact that out of season blueberries can only be found on the shelves of expensive supermarkets, it is considered to be a delicacy berry. Therefore, in the summer, in the season, it is worth taking advantage of the opportunity and buying it more often. Well, the price, by the way, is explained by the complexity of growing: blueberries are quite capricious.

According to a study conducted by one of the analytical agencies, blueberries show a minimal price spread between stores of different chains – the buyer almost always knows exactly how much he will pay for the berry. In supermarkets and popular delivery services, a box of blueberries 125 grams today costs about 200 rubles, and a box of 300 grams costs almost 500 rubles. In the markets, prices will be more democratic, where for 500 rubles they will give a solid box of about half a kilo. True, market berries will need to be sorted out more carefully, because. at the bottom of the box or cup, they may be crumpled. The optimal packaging for blueberries is 150-300 grams, so the berries do not crumple under their own weight.

What is the secret to blueberry success? It is customary to say about some products that, they say, there is “the whole periodic table” inside – such an expression is appropriate here. Blueberries are saturated with almost all micro and macro elements that a person needs. It contains potassium, calcium, sodium, zinc and selenium, and it is also rich in vitamins K, A and E and B vitamins and vitamin PP, which ensures the normalization of hormonal levels and has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the nervous system. Its main advantage is a shock dose of vitamin C: up to 20% of the daily norm of an adult (provided that no more than 200 grams of blueberries are eaten per day).

Blueberries are good for digestion due to their high fiber content, but they do not have too much sugar, so the berry will not harm the figure. However, an important nuance must be taken into account: blueberries have choleretic properties, so it should not be abused by those who have problems with the biliary system.

Blueberries should be washed immediately before eating and exactly as much as you are ready to eat at a time. Otherwise, the protective layer will be washed off the skin, and it will deteriorate very quickly.

The best way to eat blueberries is just like that, fresh, without any additives. However, today you can find many interesting and trendy recipes with the addition of blueberries. “MK” advises not to be afraid of complex words and tricky names – and try: what if you like it?

Smoothie with yogurt and banana. In some circles, the word “smoothie” is considered almost a curse, but this is stupid: a smoothie is the same cocktail or fruit puree (by the way, it’s suitable for baby food). The recipe is simple: put a handful of blueberries, a peeled and chopped banana and 2-3 tablespoons of natural yogurt into the blender bowl. Turn on the blender and blend until smooth. You can add a little oatmeal – and such a cocktail will easily replace your full breakfast. Instead of yogurt, you can use coconut or oat milk if you suddenly have lactose intolerance.

Bowl with spinach leaves, cottage cheese and blueberries. Bowl is another tricky word that translates from English as just a “bowl”, so almost any salad can be called a bowl. Check out the recipe from healthy lifestyle connoisseurs: fill your bowl bowl with fresh spinach leaves, add some cottage cheese and throw a handful of blueberries on top. If it seems too dry, you can add yogurt.