Wild Maine Blueberries
Somewhere around 12,000 years ago, glacial retreat left a scattered mishmash of unconsolidated regolith and rock across Downeast Maine. These glacial moraines are a prominent feature when driving through Washington and Hancock counties, dotting the landscape with low-lying vegetation and rocks on rolling, bucolic fields—often in stark contrast to the stands of forest and coastal geography that define much of the region. Most importantly, though, they left behind absolute ecological perfection for low bush blueberries. As long as humans have occupied the area—long ago starting with the Passamaquoddy—Vaccinium angustifolium has been an integral part of the region’s food, food culture, agriculture, and economy. Wild Maine Blueberries are shipped all across the world, much of them originating from a single town, the so-called wild blueberry capital of the world: Cherryfield, Maine. At the height of blueberry harvest season in early August, the state of Maine holds Wild Maine Blueberry Weekend—welcoming guests from throughout the region to come learn about and taste this vital and historic food source.
