Wild Alaska blueberries grow on low-bush shrubs across the Chugach foothills and the Mat-Su Valley, smaller and more intense than commercial cultivars.

Alaska Native peoples have foraged wild blueberries for millennia, and the picking tradition continues each July and August. Today the berries appear at Anchorage and Spenard farmers markets, in Sweet Caribou macarons and in pies baked at Fire Island Rustic Bakeshop. The bog blueberry (Vaccinium uliginosum) and the alpine blueberry are the two canonical Alaska species, both far smaller and more intense than commercial Maine or Michigan stock.

Where to eat Wild Alaska blueberries in Anchorage

3 editor picks for Wild Alaska blueberries in Anchorage, ranked by editorial score. All Anchorage signature dishes · Wild Alaska blueberries across every city.

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Make it at home

Serves 875 minEasy

Ingredients

  • 600g wild blueberries (or substitute cultivated)
  • 120g granulated sugar
  • 3 tbsp cornstarch
  • 1 tsp lemon zest
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1 double pie crust, chilled (homemade or all-butter)
  • 1 tbsp cold unsalted butter, cubed
  • 1 egg, beaten with 1 tbsp water for egg wash
  • 1 tbsp turbinado sugar

Method

  1. Preheat the oven to 200C.
  2. Toss the blueberries with the sugar, cornstarch, lemon zest, lemon juice, cinnamon and salt in a bowl.
  3. Roll out half the pie crust and line a 9-inch pie plate.
  4. Pour the blueberry mixture into the crust and dot with the cubed butter.
  5. Roll out the second crust and either drape over the filling with vents cut, or lattice the top.
  6. Brush with the egg wash and sprinkle with turbinado sugar.
  7. Bake for 25 minutes at 200C, then reduce to 180C and bake another 30-35 minutes until the crust is golden and the filling is bubbling thickly through the vents.
  8. Cool on a wire rack for at least 1 hour before slicing.

Editor tip. Wild Alaska blueberries hold less water than commercial. Use full cornstarch for cultivated; reduce by 1 tbsp for wild.

Common allergens: Tree nut traces if processed at the same bakery.