Local Flavor: Wild blueberries and Biddeford restaurant scene

Wild blueberries are one of only three commercially grown crops native to North America, according to the University of Maine Cooperative Extension.

Maine’s lowbush wild blueberries may be smaller than cultivated berries, but they really pack the punch. According to the Wild Blueberry Commission of Maine, wild blueberries have 33 percent more fiber and anthocyanins than cultivated blueberries, and are sweeter.

“Any given field can have as many as 1,500 genetically distinct wild blueberry plants that create a patchwork of berry flavor, shapes, and colors which is why many people refer to them as wild,” according to the University of Maine Cooperative Extension website.

This uniquely Maine fruit will be celebrated Aug. 3-4 with the fourth annual Maine Wild Blueberry Weekend. Farms throughout the state will be conducting tours, and restaurants will have special items. For more information, check out the Wild Blueberry Weekend website.

Biddeford restaurant scene mentioned in Forbes

Forbes recently featured Biddeford as one of “Two southern Maine towns to visit for the scenery and the food.” The article spotlights Magnus on Water but also gives mention to numerous other restaurants and cafes in the city.

Liz Gotthelf is the publisher of Saco Bay News. She also loves to eat – and support local businesses. If you have any local restaurant or food news, she’d love to hear from you. Send her an email at newsdesk@sacobaynews.com.