PICKING BLUEBERRIES

Where: All of Sweden

When: Late July to early September

What: Picking blueberries

Not only is picking blueberry a wonderful way to connect with nature, but you also get to enjoy the freshest, most delicious blueberries. In this post, I'll guide you through everything you need to know to make the most of your blueberry picking adventure.

THE BEST TIME FOR BLUEBERRIES

Late July to early September is prime time for blueberry picking in Sweden. During these months, the berries are at their juiciest and most flavorful.

FINDING THE PERFECT SPOT

Sweden is blessed with an abundance of forests, and thanks to Sweden's "Allemansrätten" or Right of Public Access, you can wander and pick berries freely. I always try to remember where I spot blueberry plants throughout the year, so that's where I go to when it's blueberry time.

WHAT TO BRING FOR BERRY PICKING

To enjoy your blueberry picking adventure, a little preparation goes a long way. Dress in long sleeves and pants to protect yourself from mosquitoes—the best time for blueberries is also mosquito prime time. Bring a basket with a nice fika—yes, a cosy fika break is mandatory haha, and enough containers for your berries. A berry picker can speed up your picking, but it tends to collect lots of leaves and twigs, so rinsing your harvest takes a bit more time. And last but not least, bring some company, berry picking is best when shared.

CLEANING AND PREPARING YOUR BLUEBERRIES

Once you've gathered your bounty, you can rinse the berries thoroughly under cold running water. If you want to step it up a bit, you can then soak them in a mixture of one part vinegar to three parts water for a few minutes to remove any remaining dirt and bacteria. Rinse again under cold water and your blueberries are ready to be enjoyed! You can eat them as they are, throw some in your morning yoghurt, blend them in a smoothy or add some to your pancake batter. They are also great to cook them into a jam or juice. If you want to get a bit more fancy, you can try this simple recipe below.

VARMA BLÅBÄR MED SMULTOPPING

Line a pie dish with baking paper and fill with your freshly picked, cleaned berries. Separately mix 1 tabelspoon of coconut oil, 1 tablespoon of agave syrup, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, a pinch of salt, 1/3 cup oats, 1/3 cup chrushed walnuts and 1/3 cup almond flour. Stir well until mixed and crumbly. Top the berries with the crumble mix and bake in a preheated oven on 200°C for about 15 minutes, Or even better bake it outdoors at an open fire.

A little bonus granny tip: If your fingers turn blue, you can clean them with a bit of lemon juice. I wouldn't recommend doing this experience in your best clothes, but if you do get blueberry stains on your clothes, vinegar and bakingsoda might work to remove them.

The freshness of handpicked blueberries is unbeatable. Store-bought ones simply can't match their flavor. Plus, blueberries are packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and fiber, making them a great choice for your health. So, grab your basket and enjoy picking!