Uncovering the Truth: Do Blueberries Have Seeds?

Blueberries, whether fresh, in a muffin, or ice cream, are a favorite of many. They are also highly nutritious. Some people believe they are a super food due to their high antioxidant, vitamin, and mineral content.

But many curious people wonder, “do blueberries have seeds in them?” If you’re one of those people, you have come to the right place.

In this article, we will answer this question and discuss all there is to learn about blueberry seeds. Without further ado, let us address the first thing first.

Table of Contents

Do Blueberries Have Seeds Inside?

Answering “are there seeds in blueberries?” depends on whether you understand how it’s classified as a fruit.

Blueberry, as is evident by the name, is botanically a berry. But the definition of a berry is different in ordinary language and botanical terms. Berries are small and pulpy fruits that are usually edible. A berry is distinguished by the fact that it contains many seeds and comes from a single ovary of an individual flower.

Some popular berries include raspberries, blackberries, and blackcurrants. You’d be surprised to know that tomatoes, bananas, grapes, and cucumbers, too, are scientifically berries. So yes, blueberries do contain seeds. Blueberries belong to the family of flowering plants called “heaths” and the genus Vaccinium.

Blueberry seeds are roughly the size of poppy seeds and are very hard to notice. They are reddish-brown and are present in the center of the fruit. They are edible, easily digestible, and safe to consume raw, although some misconceptions exist.

How to Extract Blueberry Seeds?

1. Get that Blender Running

Add some fresh blueberries and warm water in a blender.
Run the blender at a low-speed setting for about fifteen seconds.
Strain the mixture by placing a thin strainer over a bowl and letting it sit overnight.
The seeds will be completely separated from the water content in about 12 hours.

2. Mash those Blueberries

The alternative to using a blender is to mash the blueberries with your hands and extract their seeds.

Add some fresh blueberries to a bowl and mash them gently with a fork.
When all the blueberries are mashed, add some cold water to the bowl and let it sit for about fifteen minutes.
The seeds will sink to the bottom while the pulp will start floating at the top.
Collect the seeds and use a paper towel to store them in a freezer.

Uses of Blueberry Seeds

1. Growing Blueberry from Seeds

If you want to grow blueberries by yourself, it is best to choose fresh and unfrozen berries for seed extraction. Your best bet is getting them at a premium grocery store or a farmer’s market. Make sure to check out the type of blueberries you’re getting. If they come from a hybrid plant, their seeds might grow a different kind of blueberry than the one you purchased. However, since blueberries cross-pollinate, the same thing might happen even if the parent blueberries didn’t come from a hybrid plant.

The next thing to understand is that not all blueberry seeds are viable. The best way to go about it is to plant a few seeds from each plant. If everything goes well, the seeds will start germinating within a month. But with blueberry plants, you need patience. These plants start producing fruit once they’re 2-3 years old, reaching peak production at about 7-8 years of age. This is why many people prefer pre-grown blueberry plants rather than growing one from scratch.

You can also use paper towels or sphagnum moss for germinating blueberries. Here’s how you can use sphagnum moss for germinating blueberry seeds:

Fill a box that is at least three inches deep with ground sphagnum moss.
Spray the moss until moist and sprinkle blueberry seeds.
Cover the seeds with moss and place the container in a sunny spot.
You should try maintaining a temperature between 60-70 degrees Fahrenheit.
The seeds will germinate in a month. Transfer them to a bright area with other companion plants in fall or early spring.

2. Blueberry Seed Oil

Apart from fruit production, blueberry seeds are also used to extract seed oil which has many benefits such as:

Contains phytonutrients, Vitamins A, B Complex, C, and Omega-3 fatty acids.
Can promote hair and scalp health.
Rich in antioxidants which are good for the skin.
Can help fight off the damaging effects of UV radiation.
Can moisturize dry lips and cracked skin organically.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Are blueberry seeds safe to consume?

There is an incorrect and old assumption that people with diverticulosis may experience issues due to the consumption of Blueberry seeds. Diverticulitis is a digestive condition that can affect the colon. Additionally, since apple seeds contain trace amounts of cyanide, a chemically lethal substance, there is a fear that blueberry seeds can be harmful or toxic too. But that is not true.
Moreover, modern research has debunked such misconceptions and deemed blueberry seeds safe for human consumption.

Do wild blueberries have seeds?

Before answering this question, it is important to learn what wild blueberries are.
Blueberries are generally categorized into four types, they are:
●      Highbush (Northern and Southern)
●      Rabbiteye
●      Lowbush (Wild blueberries)
●      Hybrid half-high.
As you can see, lowbush is commonly known as wild blueberries. And yes, wild blueberries, too, contain seeds. However, the most widely planted type of blueberry is highbush.

Are there any seedless blueberries?

So far, scientific research has been unable to create seedless blueberry varieties.

Do frozen blueberries have seeds?

Yes, frozen blueberries also have seeds in them. Seedless blueberry varieties don’t currently exist.

How many seeds do blueberries have?

According to NIH, a single blueberry can have up to 50 tiny seeds. But not all of these seeds are viable. The number of viable seeds in blueberry can vary depending on how ripe it is, how the pollination occurred, and the type of blueberry.
Since blueberry seeds are tiny, you can potentially damage them while extracting. Here are some safe methods of blueberry seed extraction.

Are blueberry seeds hard to grow?

It is quite easy to grow blueberries from seeds, especially if you follow growing instructions closely. Ideally, you should start them inside in fall or early spring. However, you can germinate them throughout the year if provided with sufficient warmth and light.

How long does it take blueberry plants to bear fruit?

The germination of blueberry seeds occurs in about a month, but the plant starts producing fruit in its second year of growth when it reaches a height of 1-2 feet. However, it might take up to 7-8 years for a blueberry plant to produce fruit in significant quantities.