Fruit Basket's Standout Star: Blueberry, Akin to Kim Kardashian's popularity
Germany Embraces the Blueberry Boom as Superfood Gains Popularity
Cologne - Blueberries, once a humble ingredient in grandma's jam, have surged to the forefront as a globally sought-after "superfood". The transformation of this small berry can offer valuable insights into contemporary society.
A survey by the market research institute YouGov, commissioned by the German Press Agency, indicates the duration of this culinary revolution. Among fruit-eaters, almost half (47 percent) named the blueberry as their favorite fruit, barely trailing behind the raspberry (53 percent). The annual survey places the blueberry firmly ahead of both blackberries (31 percent) and currants (24 percent).
With this snapshot in mind, it's essential to consider the broader landscape spanning decades. The blueberry's meteoric rise becomes more apparent when examined through a wider lens. The "Bushberry Survey" reveals that the farming area dedicated to blueberries in Germany has witnessed a steady expansion in recent years. In 2024, the highbush blueberry remained the most popular bushberry species in Germany, cultivated on 3,500 hectares, according to the Federal Statistical Office - an increase of 0.9 percent compared to 2023. The blueberry's cultivation area was just 1,840 hectares in 2012.
Consumption has risen in tandem with cultivation, with significant imports from abroad. Claudio Gläser, a market analyst at the Agricultural Market Information Company, notes that the import figures for blueberries in Germany have doubled since 2018, and have increased by a factor of 4.5 since 2015.
It might be difficult for newcomers to fathom a time when blueberries were as rare as an affordable big-city apartment. In today's supermarkets, blueberries are widely available year-round, often displayed in generous amounts.
Gläser, a self-confessed blueberry enthusiast born in 1990, can vividly recall the scarcity of these blue gems in the past. "I was overjoyed when I finally had my own blueberry bush. Back then, it was a purely seasonal phenomenon," he reflects. Today, there's no seasonal scarcity to be found.
The reasons behind the blueberry's success story become more tangible when the noise of our era is filtered out. Health-conscious consumers have ethical reduction and self-optimization in mind, complemented by technological advancements.
For years, blueberries have been lauded as a "superfood" due to their low sugar content, high amounts of vitamin E, and manganese. Anthocyanins present in blueberries are believed to have protective effects on cells within the human body. Research suggests that consumption of 2 × 200 ml of blueberry juice five days before a half marathon can delay and lessen muscle soreness in trained runners.
Yet, convenience may have played an equally crucial role in the blueberry's ascension. With their minimal handling requirements and long shelf life, blueberries are well-suited to a time when people desire quick, nutritious snacks free of excessive mess. Notably, they are even marketed as an alternative to popcorn in some cinemas worldwide.
Producers and traders have also finding working with blueberries to be relatively straightforward, as the cultivated blueberries are not native to Europe but originated from North America. Their slightly thicker skin makes them more durable for transit, allowing for longer-lasting storage and broader transportation options.
With such extensive transportation lengths, it is inevitable that blueberries bear the burden of considerable carbon emissions. Platform Utopia.de warns of the potential climate impact of such lengthy transport routes. Despite this environmental concern, the blueberry boom shows no sign of slowing down, with the famous berry now potentially expanding its reach to documentaries and podcasts.
What could be the connection between the increased popularity of blueberries in the health-and-wellness landscape and the rise of science-backed lifestyle choices in contemporary society?
Could we see the integration of blueberries, due to their esteemed status as a superfood, in broader areas such as food-and-drink, health-and-wellness, and even documentary and podcast productions?
