Soft, golden muffins bursting with juicy blueberries are a favorite breakfast and snack. National Blueberry Muffin Day, on July 11, falls during peak blueberry season in much of the United States, making it the perfect time to bake a batch with fresh berries. Whether topped with crunchy streusel or a sprinkle of sugar, blueberry muffins are a simple pleasure.
History of National Blueberry Muffin Day
Blueberries are native to North America, and Native American peoples gathered wild blueberries for centuries, eating them fresh, drying them and using them in foods and medicines.
For a long time, blueberries were only harvested from the wild. In the early 1900s, botanist Frederick Coville of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and farmer Elizabeth White of Whitesbog, New Jersey, worked together to cultivate wild highbush blueberries. In 1916, they produced the first commercial crop of cultivated blueberries, launching a new industry.
American-style muffins, quick breads made with baking powder or baking soda instead of yeast, became popular in the 1800s after chemical leaveners were developed. Blueberry muffins became a classic. In 1988, Minnesota named the blueberry muffin its official state muffin. Who started National Blueberry Muffin Day is not documented.
Why National Blueberry Muffin Day Matters
Blueberry muffins celebrate a native American fruit and the farmers who grow it. Today, blueberries are grown in many states, including Michigan, Washington, Oregon, Georgia and New Jersey.
Blueberries are a nutritious fruit, providing fiber and vitamin C.
Muffins are also an easy introduction to baking, teaching the 'muffin method' of gently mixing wet and dry ingredients, and they are perfect for sharing with friends or neighbors.
Blueberry season is also a great time to visit pick-your-own farms, which let families enjoy time outdoors and learn where fruit comes from. Fresh berries freeze well, so a summer harvest can be enjoyed in muffins and pancakes all year long.
How to Celebrate National Blueberry Muffin Day
- Bake muffins: use fresh or frozen blueberries.
- Add a topping: sprinkle streusel or coarse sugar on top.
- Go blueberry picking: visit a pick-your-own farm.
- Try a twist: add lemon zest or use whole wheat flour.
- Freeze extras: freeze muffins for quick breakfasts.
Celebrating at Work, School and Home
At work, bring a basket of blueberry muffins to a morning meeting. In classrooms, students can learn about Elizabeth White and Frederick Coville, practice measuring for a math lesson, or study how baking powder makes muffins rise. At home, families can pick blueberries and bake muffins together; children can measure, stir and fill muffin cups. Toss berries in a little flour so they don't sink, and avoid overmixing the batter.
Fun Facts About National Blueberry Muffin Day
- Blueberries are native to North America.
- The first cultivated blueberry crop was harvested in New Jersey in 1916.
- The blueberry muffin is Minnesota's official state muffin.
National Blueberry Muffin Day FAQs
When is National Blueberry Muffin Day?
National Blueberry Muffin Day is July 11.
Who first cultivated blueberries?
Elizabeth White and Frederick Coville, in New Jersey in the early 1900s.
Can I use frozen blueberries?
Yes; don't thaw them first to prevent streaking.
What is Minnesota's state muffin?
The blueberry muffin.