The first time I picked up blueberries was in the forest in Västerbotten County, right close to the Baltic Sea.
My friend taught me to gather blueberries right during a blueberry season (which eventually happened in August) and make a blueberry pie afterwards.
However that may be, these berries were as ripe and sweet as the nature where they were growing. I sensed a real atmosphere of lush green pine trees and bushes all around, some sceneries of extraordinary wild nature enveloping you on the spot, with moss aligning every step of yours during a walk through either a deserted island or a forest at the fringe of the sea.
Long time ago there was nothing but water which covered all the stones one can see even today. Those stones are abound all over the place in the north of Stockholm, where Umeå city in Västerbotten is. They remind me of the relics from the past.
It turns out that many stones are still to be found on the faraway islands in the open Baltic Sea. Though such a pristine beauty of nature is not deficient of its beautiful turbulent past. Some animal species (like hare and wild geese) are also finding their habitat on the islands adjoining the coastal mainland, with its peaceful coves and inlets close by. It is like a living community which one can tame and feel without any tension from within and from outside. Such is a characteristic of deserted islands and the way of life.
Gathering blueberries in the depth of the forest is a peculiarly sightseeing experience one should reach when simply walking in the blueberry grove. Peace and placidity of feelings will suffice to recollect yourself and fall into the reverie. I found this fantasy of mine to be fascinating good times to remember for a long time. This ”someday” happened in my life a few years ago.
I learnt much about this popular local spare time occupation and was involved a lot into it with great interest and amusement. It was painstaking but rewarding.
On coming out of the dark groves where blueberries were plentiful I was glad to behold a little plant with orange berry near to me. That was real cloudberry which often grows in the wild in bogs, marshes and wet meadows.
Many wild berries (including wild strawberries) are growing in the north of Sweden, as I observed it myself. Groves of blueberries are really like a center point for all blueberry lovers or pilgrimage destination in summer time.
Furthermore, I want to add that berries are extensively used in cooking during summer season. Red currants, for example, are used in Scandinavia as an ingredient for soups and summer puddings, and they have been cultivated in Northern Europe since the 1500s. (In the end of the 16th c. it is introduced into the markets of London.)
After all, the most enjoyable dish is a blueberry pie made from freshly picked berries and indulged in the open air. You will never get distressed over it. And I am always nature-oriented.
Here is a list of dishes made of blueberries and other local foods/specialties:
> Blåbär hallon jordgubbs paj - Blueberry raspberry strawberry pie;
> Blueberry soup and cottage cheese;
> Blueberry muffins;
> Blueberry cake;
> Bilberry/blueberry, sugar and whipped cream;
> Våfflor med rårörda blåbär - Waffles with (preserved) uncooked blueberries;
> Creme Brule och blåbär - Creme Brule and blueberries;
> Blueberry buns;
> Stjärnkakor (med blåbär & hallon) - Starcakes with blueberry and raspberry;
> Smoothie - a sweet drink made of blackberries, raspberries, blueberries, red currants, black currants and orange juice.
> Blåbär- & limemuffins - Blueberry and lime muffins.
PS: Interesting to know that:
1) "Blåbärssoppa, blueberry soup, is a Swedish drink made from bilberries, which can be served cold or hot. The drink is sweet and contains starch which gives it a fairly thick consistency.
In the USA, blåbärssoppa is imported and sold under the trade name Blåbär, despite the fact that it is not made from the North American blueberry but from the bilberry, Vaccinium myrtillus, which grows in the wild throughout Scandinavia and other parts of Europe. The Swedish word for bilberry, blåbär, literally means "blue berry".
Blåbärssoppa can be home made from bilberries, sugar, water and potato starch, or it can be bought ready-made or in powdered form, to mix with water."
2) "In Finland people have things called kuningatar. For some reason, the combination of blueberry and raspberry is called "The Queen" in Finland. "Queen" flavor available as ice cream & cider, among other things."
