National Blueberry Pie Day

The story

The story starts long before ovens were preheated and pies were latticed. Native Americans, the original stewards of the land, prized blueberries, what they called "star berries" due to their star-shaped blossom ends. Blueberries were essential for survival. They helped sustain Native Americans and early settlers alike, possibly saving them from starvation during brutal winters.

Fast forward to colonial America, where blueberries transitioned from survival food to star ingredient. Settlers embraced the berry, and by the mid-19th century, blueberries had made their debut in pies.

The first blueberry pie recipes appeared in cookbooks like culinary treasure maps, showcasing Maine's wild blueberries as the hero ingredient. To this day, Maine claims blueberry pie as its official state dessert, and for good reason—this pie’s roots run deep in the rocky New England soil.

By the 1800s, blueberry pie was a household favorite, and not just in Maine. Soldiers during the Civil War, smitten with Maine’s wild blueberries, brought their love for the fruit back home. Suddenly, blueberries weren’t just a regional treat—they were spreading across the country like wildfire (or perhaps pie filling).

The berries don’t need peeling or pitting and are packed with antioxidants, potassium, and vitamin C. A classic filling of blueberries, sugar, lemon juice, and spices like cinnamon or nutmeg is encased in a buttery crust.