Unexpected Ingredients That Pair Well With Blueberries

Native to North America, blueberries are a very popular fruit whose popularity is growing. They're the second-most popular culinary berry in the United States behind strawberries. The berry's popularity has significantly increased in the last three decades, and the U.S. grows nearly 1 billion pounds yearly. There are many unique varieties, including Alaska, Pink Champagne, and Pink Popcorn. However, highbush blueberries are the most ubiquitous. You can eat blueberries raw or cooked. While most people are familiar with blueberry muffins, pies, and pancakes, there are many other ways to eat them.

Because of this fruit's many different flavor compounds, the berry can combine well with many different other taste profiles. Some flavor pairings may even be unexpected. However, after breaking them down, we can see that different compounds lend to blueberry's descriptors as "grassy," "sweet," "earthy," "sour," and even "floral." From sweet to savory, explore different flavors and ingredients to add to your next blueberry dish.

As Chef Samin Nosrat has made so famously known with her book, "Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat," these four elements play well together. That said, blueberries and cheese might not be the first ingredient duo to come to mind. However, cheese has a varied flavor profile, including fattiness, umami, and saltiness (mainly because it's such a broad food category). This profile blends nicely with the tart sweetness of blueberries to create a near-complete balance of flavors. No wonder blueberry-topped goat cheeses like Aldi's are so popular!

While blueberry cheesecake isn't exactly a well-kept secret, don't be afraid to go savory. There are plenty of blueberry-infused cheddars on the market, for example. Or, try baked brie with blueberry. When the blueberries warm up with the cheese, it will take the whole concoction to the next level. And if you can't do dairy for some reason, don't worry: this combination also works with plant-based cheese.

Due to shared and complementary flavor compounds, rosemary, mint, basil, and lemon thyme make great pairings with blueberries. Rosemary contains eucalyptol, borneal, and camphor as its main flavor components, which lend to its pine-like flavor. Blueberries also have flavor compounds (α-terpineol) that lend a piney scent.

Different varieties of mints have various flavor components. They include terpenes cineole and linalool, according to a collaborative 2021 study between United States universities, the University of Munich, and Mars, also found in blueberries. Finally, lemon thyme contains limone and thymol, which lend this bitter herb a hint of citrus. The citrus flavor of lemon thyme makes it taste great with blueberry.

These aren't the only herbs that go well with blueberries, though. Next time you throw a party, consider making a blueberry salsa  — the fruit and cilantro will make a fabulous pair. Add some coriander (cilantro seed) as an unexpected spice to your blueberry muffins and take them to the next level.

Pumpkin and blueberry desserts are a favorite among bakers, so combining them is a natural next step. (In fact, both fruits are actually berries!) These two berries pair well with the same spices — cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cardamom — which can help tie a recipe together. Pumpkin also contains vanillic acid, which echoes the vanilla compounds in blueberries. This is also a very healthy combination because blueberries are one of the top antioxidant foods and very high in vitamin K. Both these fruits are also low-calorie. Meanwhile, pumpkins are high in vitamin A and antioxidants. By eating them together, you get a double-dash of healthy antioxidants.  

Consider combining these nutrient powerhouses in a morning smoothie. However, if you are in the mood for a fruit-filled breakfast that is a bit indulgent, try a recipe for pumpkin pancakes topped with blueberry preserves. Either way, you are in for a delicious treat.

Most non-citrus fruits taste good with citrus, but blueberries also contain citronellol compounds — which can either produce a citrus or floral scent — amping up this pairing. Citrus is also acidic, meaning it offsets and complements the sweetness of blueberries in recipes. It's important to always think about balancing different types of flavors.

If you want to take full advantage of a blueberry flavor combo, try making a blueberry lemon goat cheese tart recipe; you'll be taking advantage of not just citrus and blueberry's deliciousness but the way that cheese pairs with both. Of course, lemon is not the only citrus you can pair with blueberries. Orange and blueberry desserts are a winning combination, but growing in popularity is blueberry and orange-infused water. All you need to do is muddle the blueberries and oranges together before adding water. Let the mixture sit for a few hours to "steep" before serving.

Lavender and rose go very well with blueberry due to the floral flavor compounds found in the fruit. Blueberries contain geraniol and nerol, which give the fruit its floral notes. Rose, for example, has not only nerol and geraniol but linalool, limonene, and citronellol. Except for nerol, lavender also contains these compounds. The compounds the plants share and those they don't create a complementary flavor that really punches blueberries up to the next level.

Mix blueberry and rose water in margaritas or baked goods to take advantage of this combo. For those dealing with dietary restrictions, try a seven-ingredient blueberry and lavender vegan cheesecake recipe. The key to cooking with flowers is less is more. Remember that you can always add more, so start slowly so the flowers don't overpower the blueberries and other flavors. If you're someone who's unsure about floral flavors, this blend is a great way to dip your toes in because the blueberries really temper the flowers' flavor.

Malty flavors go great with blueberries, making them a wonderful pairing. This makes sense as malt is a bitter-sweet taste, and blueberries have a sour-sweet flavor. This makes them complementary on the five-flavor chart. If you want to try blueberry beer without breaking the bank, we suggest Sea Dog Blue Paw Wild Blueberry Wheat Ale.

If you're a homebrewer, know that you can add blueberries to just about any kind of beer recipe. The trick is to add the berries during the second fermentation. You can use fresh or frozen blueberries, but you must strain them from the recipe either way. Sometimes frozen is better because the fruit is frozen at peak freshness. You can also use blueberry extract or 100% blueberry juice to flavor your beer. Another homebrewed drink that tastes great with blueberries is kombucha. You also add the blueberries during the second fermentation while making this beverage.