Behold the mighty blueberry: a food often lauded as one of the healthiest fruits in the Western diet. Blueberries have been cultivated as both food and medicine by Indigenous tribes in Northeastern America for centuries, and became commercially popular soon after their domestication in the early 20th century. Chock-full of antioxidants, blueberries have been said to help with lowering blood pressure, improving insulin response, reversing age-related memory loss, and even reducing the risk of cancer. This tiny fruit can do it all—it can even act as a stand-out accompaniment on your cheese plate.
Preserves
There’s a reason you can find blueberry spreads on the shelves of almost every cheese shop and specialty foods store—often sweet and sticky with a touch of tartness, they pair incredibly well with many different wedges. But when enjoyed alongside a creamy soft-ripened sheep’s or goat’s milk cheese, they’re really our jam.
Old Chatham Creamery/Crown Finish Caves Naked Pruner
+ Maison Francis Miot Wild Blueberry Jam
+ Stonewall Kitchen Wild Maine Blueberry Jam
Wine
Wine plus cheese is a no-brainer. First produced as a solution for excess fruit on farms, blueberry wines are increasing in mainstream popularity. Like its grape counterpart, blueberry wine comes in a number of varieties, from dry to sweet and everything in between. Fruity and intense, these antioxidant-rich wines play well with earthy Alpine-style cheeses.
+ Blue Sky Farm Semi-Dry Blueberry Wine
+ Tomasello Winery Blueberry Moscato
Balsamic
A brilliant balance of sweetness and tang, blueberry balsamic vinegar is a winner no matter what you pair it with. Lighter and more fruit-forward than its traditional grape-based balsamic, this dark, aged vinegar can be used for salad dressing, marinades, cocktail bases, and even as an ice cream topping! When pairing with cheese, go for something salty, crumbly, and fresh.
+ Saratoga Olive Oil Co. Blueberry Balsamic Vinegar
+ Secolari Blueberry Balsamic Vinegar
Chala June
Chala June is a Brooklyn-based writer, food enthusiast, and former cheesemonger.
