BOTANICAL NAME
Vaccinium myrtillus
Bilberries at a Glance
Whole dried Bilberries (Vaccinium myrtillus) are small, deeply coloured berries with a naturally tart, subtly sweet character. Traditionally gathered across parts of Europe, they can be explored as a single botanical infusion or used in botanical blends, syrups, preserves and culinary preparations.
PLANT FAMILY
Ericaceae
PART USED
Whole dried berries
CHARACTER
Deep blue-purple berries with a concentrated, naturally tart and subtly sweet berry character.
PREPARATION
Use 1–2 teaspoons per cup. Add freshly boiled water and steep for 15–20 minutes before straining.
PACKAGING
20 g of whole dried Bilberries packed in a resealable kraft pouch in South Africa.
The Story of the Bilberry
Small, dark and deeply coloured, Bilberries have been gathered from European woodlands and heathlands for generations.
Vaccinium myrtillus is a low-growing shrub closely related to blueberries and cranberries. Its berries are typically smaller and darker than cultivated blueberries, with distinctive blue-purple flesh beneath the skin.
Traditionally gathered from wild-growing plants, Bilberries have long been used in European kitchens and botanical preparations, from preserves and syrups to drinks and herbal infusions.
Once dried, their naturally tart, subtly sweet character becomes more concentrated, creating a versatile ingredient for brewing, blending and the botanical pantry.
From woodland berry to pantry botanical, Bilberries are a beautifully simple ingredient worth discovering.
Botanical Field Guide
A closer look at Bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus) — the small woodland shrub behind these distinctive dark blue-purple berries.
Botanical Profile
- Common Name:
- Bilberry
- Scientific Name:
- Vaccinium myrtillus
- Plant Family:
- Ericaceae
- Plant Type:
- Low-growing deciduous shrub
- Part Used:
- Whole dried berries
- Native Range:
- Europe and parts of northern Asia
- Appearance:
- Small, round berries that ripen to a deep blue-black colour. Unlike many cultivated blueberries, Bilberries have deeply pigmented blue-purple flesh beneath the skin.
- Flavour & Aroma:
- Naturally tart and subtly sweet, with a concentrated dark-berry character that becomes more pronounced when dried.
From Whole Berry to Infusion
Whole dried Bilberries slowly release their deep berry colour and naturally tart character as they steep. A simple preparation is all that is needed to explore this distinctive woodland botanical.
Stage 01
Measure the Berries
Use approximately 1–2 teaspoons of whole dried Bilberries per cup. For a stronger infusion, gently crush the berries before brewing.
Stage 02
Add Freshly Boiled Water
Add the Bilberries to a small saucepan, pour in the required amount of water and place over gentle heat.
Stage 03
Allow Them to Infuse
Steep for 15–20 minutes, allowing the berries time to release their natural colour, flavour and character into the water.
Stage 04
Strain & Enjoy
Strain the infusion before serving and enjoy warm. Adjust the amount of Bilberries or steeping time to suit your preferred strength.
Explore Your Botanical Pantry
Dried Bilberries are a versatile pantry botanical that can be explored far beyond a single cup. Brew them on their own, combine them with complementary botanicals or bring their distinctive dark-berry character into homemade pantry preparations.
Botanical Infusions
Simmer dried Bilberries in water to create a richly coloured botanical infusion with a naturally tart, subtly sweet berry character.
Botanical Blends
Combine Bilberries with complementary dried fruits, flowers, herbs and spices to create your own loose botanical blends.
Syrups & Preserves
Explore Bilberries in homemade syrups, preserves and other fruit-based pantry preparations where their concentrated berry character can take centre stage.
Culinary Creations
Experiment with dried Bilberries in porridges, baked goods, sauces and other recipes that welcome a distinctive dark-berry element.
Everything You Need to Know About Dried Bilberries
Discover more about Dried Bilberries (Vaccinium myrtillus), including what they are, how they differ from blueberries, how to prepare them and ways to use them in your botanical pantry.
Bilberries are the small, dark blue-purple berries of Vaccinium myrtillus, a low-growing shrub native to Europe and parts of northern Asia. They are closely related to blueberries but are a distinct botanical species.
No. Bilberries and cultivated blueberries are related but are not the same species. Bilberries are generally smaller and darker, with deeply pigmented blue-purple flesh beneath the skin.
Dried Bilberries have a concentrated dark-berry character that is naturally tart with a subtle sweetness.
Use approximately 1–2 teaspoons per cup of water. Add to a small saucepan and gently simmer for 10–15 minutes before straining.
Yes. Combine them with complementary dried fruits, flowers, herbs and spices for botanical infusions and loose blends.
Explore them in homemade syrups, preserves, porridges, baked goods, sauces and other culinary preparations.
This product contains the whole dried berries of Vaccinium myrtillus.
No. Bilberries are naturally caffeine-free.
Store sealed in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, heat and moisture.
Flowers from my Meadow offers whole Dried Bilberries (Vaccinium myrtillus) in 20 g resealable pouches, available to order online in South Africa.
Still Have a Question?
If there’s something we haven’t covered, we’d be happy to help. Get in touch with Flowers from my Meadow and we’ll do our best to answer your question.
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Carefully packed by Flowers from my Meadow in South Africa.
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