What are blue foods? Do they offer any health benefits? Do blue foods exist naturally? Let us find out.
Blue foods rarely occur naturally. There are so difficult to find that only 3% of Americans can eat them. Made even more famous and romantic by the fictional character Percy Jackson, blue foods are synonymous with confidence and belief to do anything you want. Needless to say, they are quite delicious and nutritious as well.
It is cumbersome but not impossible to put naturally occurring blue foods on your plate. In this article, we are going to reveal 20 mouthwatering and real blue foods for you. So, don’t believe what you read on the internet and media. There are blue foods and you can very much enjoy them.
What are Blue Foods?
The color of fruits depends on the biochemistry inside the plants. Most plants have green color because of the green pigment chlorophyll. Chlorophyll absorbs blue light coming from the sun to generate food. However, some plants or fruits also have blue pigment which only reflects blue wavelength.
Yes, blue pigments exist naturally. They have excellent antioxidant properties thanks to a substance known as anthocyanin. Similarly, blue fruits are quite healthy and can reduce stress besides stabilizing your blood pressure and keeping your heart healthy.
So, why do blue foods are rare? They are rare because only a handful of fruits have blue pigments with anthocyanin. Most fruits and plants have green pigment known as chlorophyll that reflects green light.
20 Best Foods that are Blue?
Finally, we are going to talk about the blue foods that you can eat.
1. Blueberries
Of course, the first blue colored food that comes to mind is blueberry. Unlike other blue foods, it is quite common and widely used in cheesecakes, smoothies, pies, and other dishes. Similarly, jellies, muffins, jams, and some healthy breakfast cereals also use blueberries as an ingredient.
Blueberries are rich in potassium and vitamins. They are also a great source of vitamin C and fiber and therefore, can help you keep your digestive system working properly.
2. Blue Corn
Believe it or not, there is also a blue variety of corn. Also known as Rio Grande Blue, Tarahumara Maize Blue, Yoeme Blue, Hopi maize, etc. it is a popular part of traditional southwestern delicacies. Some of these dishes include tortillas, tlacoyo, piki bread, and cereals. That is why these dishes also have that characteristic blue hue.
3. Blue Tomato
Blue or purple tomatoes are healthier than common red tomatoes. Farmers have been selectively breeding these varieties for some time, further increasing their health benefits.
Blue tomatoes look blue because of high levels of anthocyanin. You can cook your blue tomatoes or eat them fresh just like other tomatoes. However, they have a slightly sour taste compared to red tomatoes. You can also use them in healthy juices and smoothies.
4. Butterfly Peas
Butterfly peas are commonly found in Southeast Asia. It is a brightly colored flower used to make colorful blue tea. You can also put some dried lemon grass or lemon in the tea. Similarly, you can take the tea both hot and cold.
The tea can supposedly relieve stress and improve your mood. Even more, it also has anti-aging properties according to the locals where it grows naturally.
It is also an important ingredient for Eurasian putugal. Its main role is to add color to desserts and gluten rice. It is a key ingredient for many other dishes in the region such as Malaysian sky-blue nasi kerabu rice.
5. Damson Plumes
Damson plumes have a strong tangent taste. It is a small fruit with colors ranging from indigo to dark blue and even almost black depending on the variety.
Called Jamblang and damson plumes in Southeast Asia and Great Briton respectively, you can use them to make jams and preserve other fruits.
Just like other blue foods, they have antioxidant properties as well as high levels of vitamin C.
6. American Lobster
American lobsters are perhaps the rarest of animals on the earth. Only one in 2 million lobsters are blue. Therefore, they are difficult to catch and too beautiful to eat. But – if you do find one, you can eat it if you want.
7. Indigo Milk Cap
Indigo milk cap is native to Southeast Asia and North America. It is an edible mushroom sold in Mexico, Guatemala, and China in rural markets. However, they change their color to greyish red after cooking.
8. Starflowers
Starflowers are naturally blue flowers with edible leaves. They are indigenous to Europe and grown in gardens on a large scale. Its seeds have high quantities of borage oil which is a complete food in itself. Many herbal medicines are made of this oil. You can also save tomatoes, legumes, and other plants from insect attacks by planting starflowers closer to them.
9. Blue Cheese
All varieties of blue cheese are incredibly delicious. You can culture penicillium, a kind of mold while making cheese to create blue spots and veins on the cheese. The most popular types of blue cheese are Gorgonzola, Roquefort, and Stilton. All of them have a sharp, strong, and salty taste.
However, blue cheese is one of the most easily available blue foods and drinks. You can choose from a whopping 40 varieties and everyone will find something for himself.
10. Blue Spirulina
If you are looking for one food with almost all the nutrients, you must go for blue spirulina. It has excellent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties thanks to phycocyanin. It is also the substance that gives spirulina its blue color.
The food is also rich in vitamins A, B, and C as well as iron and protein. You can easily find blue spirulina at almost all medical stores in tablet or powdered form.
11. Elderberries
Elderberries are another kind of blueberry. It can boost your immune system and protect you from flu and cold. Similarly, you can quickly recover from illness if you eat elderberries.
Apart from health benefits, you can use elderberries to make jams, jellies, juices, and wines. It usually has a sour or mildly bitter flavor.
Keep in mind that unripe elderberries can be toxic. Therefore, only eat them when they are fully ripe.
12. Blue Caviar
Fondly called “Sapphire of the Ocean”, it is native to Australia and harvested around the country’s coasts from November to March.
Blue caviar is rich in proteins and omega3 fatty acids. It has a salty or oceanic and briny flavor.
13. Blue Lingcod Fish
It is another rare freshwater fish. Native to North America, it is called Lincod fish because it looks like both a cod fish and Lingcod. It is an excellent source of omega3 fatty acids and proteins.
The fish has a blue color because of a blue pigment known as biliverdin. It mostly dwells in the depths of the Pacific Ocean off the western coasts of America.
14. Bluefin tuna
While white fish are low in fats, blue fish have high fat content. Apart from blue fine tuna, you can also categorize salmon, carp, sardines, anchovy, herring, etc. as blue fish.
You should try to eat bluefin tunas as fresh as possible. Similarly, they are native to the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.
15. Japanese Blue Milk Bread
You can change the color of the bread from white to blue by adding some blue butterfly pea flowers to the recipe. That is what the Japanese do while making blue milk bread. However, the pea flower does not affect the taste. You can also easily make this soft and fluffy bread at home.
16. Blue Marble Tree
The blue marble tree is a fig but looks like a larger version of blueberries. They are native to Australia and have a true blue color, unlike some other fruits and plants.
Blue Marble Trees have somehow found their way to Hawaii as well. They grow in larger numbers in gardens and parks across the state. Therefore, you can add them to your diet if you live in Australia and Hawaii.
17. American Blue Crab
Blue crabs are extremely valuable in fishery, especially for fishermen of Maryland. You can find them in thousands in their season on the shores. They have green to blue shells and are hence named blue crabs.
Their maximum length is 9 inches but most of them are caught before they reach their full size. Therefore, you most probably be eating a baby if you eat blue crab next time.
Seafood is usually rich in proteins and low in fat. Therefore, you can eat blue crabs without any worries unless you have a shellfish allergy.
18. Concord Grapes
Concord grapes are purple grapes that you mostly eat in the United States. You can easily find them in your local markets. However, they are mostly used in jams and juices.
Grapes are favorite among adults and children alike. They are a fantastic snack and help you live healthily by offering a lot of vitamins and antioxidants. Besides blue cheese, concord grapes are the most easily available blue food.
19. Bachelor’s Buttons
Another blue flower you can eat is the bachelor’s button. They have a pleasant smell and have sweet, peppery, and vegetal flowers. The petals of the flower are edible and can be a great addition to tea or salads.
20. Blue Eggs
Some chicken breeds also lay blue eggs. Biliverdin is responsible for the blue color of the shells. There is no difference between normal and blue eggs in terms of taste and nutritional value.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there any natural blue food?
The following are the blue foods that exist naturally.
- Blueberries
- Elderberries
- American blue crab
- Blue eggs
- Concord grapes
- Blue marble tree
- Blue caviar
- Blue corn
- Blue tomatoes
What food dishes are blue?
Apart from naturally occurring blue foods, there are also some blue dishes such as:
- Royal blue cocktail
- Two-toned potato salad
- Blueberry macaroons
- Blue moon ice cream
- Iced butterfly pea flower tea latte
- Salt baked trout
- Gooey butter blue velvet cookies
Are blue foods healthy?
Blue foods do not only look beautiful but they also have a lot of health benefits. They have excellent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Similarly, they are also rich in protein, various vitamins, and other nutrients as well as plenty of minerals that keep your body going.
Which vegetable is blue?
Blue vegetables don’t exist as long as you consider blue potatoes as a vegetable. Similarly, there are also blue corn and blueberries but whether or not they are vegetables are up to debate.
Final Thoughts
So, you now know what are blue foods and what health benefits they bring to the table. They are not only delicious but also have health benefits like being excellent antioxidants. Similarly, they are rich in minerals and nutrients that help you maintain an overall healthy lifestyle.