Blueberries carry an impressive canon of superpowers when it comes to modern recipe development: Their sweet-tart flavor and plump juiciness are unmatched. Their nutrient-dense profile makes them a hero in menu developers’ efforts to craft a positive health-and-wellness narrative. Their vibrant color adds a high-value touch to any dish or drink, creating eye-catching moments. Blueberries also offer valuable menu perception, allowing operators to boost profits. Indeed, 70 percent of consumers indicate a willingness to pay more for the dishes that include blueberries.*

When it comes to versatility, blueberries are the Elastigirl of ingredients, shapeshifting effortlessly into a wide world of menu possibilities. Apart from adding their inherent qualities, blueberries serve as a flavor bridge, connecting today’s adventurous diners with the comfortingly familiar.

59% of patrons wish there were more adventurous applications for blueberries.*

Photo Credit: Carlos Garcia

This Blueberry Elotes Esquites Salad from Mad Honey Creative Studio’s Ian Ramirez is a fresh take on a trending dish; menu mentions of elotes have risen 131 percent in the past four years.**

MOVING TO MEXICO

Mexico continues to offer surefire hits for menu developers thanks to its unique mix of bold,
big flavors and close-in familiarity. Look to the blueberry, in all its forms, to help make Mexican classics into modern American signatures. Ian Ramirez, Founder of Mad Honey Creative Studio, a culinary consultancy based in Grand Rapids, Mich., developed Blueberry Elotes Esquites Salad (above) on behalf of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council. His version of the Mexican street corn features fresh blueberries, grilled corn off the cob, red cabbage, green cabbage, cilantro, green onion, poblano and jalapeño peppers, mayo, lime juice, sour cream, cumin, Tajín and Cotija cheese. “This works really well as a starter salad or as topper for tacos,” says Ramirez. “The blueberries add sweet and sour flavors, as well as a textural component,” says Ramirez. “They’re also a great counter to spicy flavors.”

* USHBC PATRON STUDY | DEMAND FOR BLUEBERRIES AT FOODSERVICE, 2021
** DATASSENTIAL, 2023

Find on-trend menu ideas featuring blueberries or contact us for custom innovation support at blueberry.org/foodservice.