Blueberry (Vaccinium myrtillus L.) in the culture, language and traditions of the Albanians in the Balkans
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.52603/rec.2026.39.10Keywords:
blueberries, Albanians, alimentary culture, folk medicine, borrowingsAbstract
The role of many plants, including Blueberries (Vaccinium myrtillus L.), in the food culture, traditions, and folk medicine of the peoples of the Western Balkans is exceptionally significant. This article discusses wild blueberries harvested in certain mountainous areas of Albania, Kosovo, North Macedonia, and other countries in the region with Albanian population. The research question is to determine the status of blueberries in the food paradigm and social hierarchies of local communities, primarily in the Albanian-Slavic borderlands. The study has based on long-term fieldwork in the Balkans (1990–2026) and data from specialized archives. The authors analyze the use of blueberries in food, folk medicine, labor force allocation, and hospitality. Blueberries are primarily consumed raw; less commonly, in certain areas with Albanian populations they are used to make sweet desserts and alcoholic beverages, and are widely valued as an important remedy for various ailments. In recent years, with the growth of international and domestic tourism, blueberries have become a key ingredient in the production of cheeses, fermented milk drinks, and other beverages, driven by the growing global health megatrend and demand for organic products.
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