July is National Blueberry Month, a month-long celebration of one of North America's most beloved fruits and a tradition that goes back more than fifty years. And here at Bee Inspired, we have a particularly personal connection to blueberry season: our blueberry blossom honey comes directly from the wild blueberry fields in New Jersey that make July so spectacular. Whether you're here for recipe inspiration, want to understand the fascinating relationship between bees and blueberry bushes, or are just ready to taste something special, this is your guide to celebrating blueberry month the Bee Inspired way.
When Is National Blueberry Month, and Why July?
National Blueberry Month runs the entire month of July. The timing is intentional: July represents peak blueberry season across most of North America, when wild and cultivated blueberry bushes reach full ripeness and deliver the sweetest, most flavorful berries of the year.
The history goes back to 1974, when the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives passed a joint resolution recognizing July as "Blueberry Month," with President Nixon calling on Americans to observe it with appropriate activities. The USDA has issued proclamations renewing the designation in the years since. Today, farmers across 26 states commercially produce blueberries, with major growing regions in New Jersey, Michigan, Oregon, Washington, and Georgia.
National Blueberry Day falls on July 8th, a midpoint celebration within the month and a perfect excuse to pull out a fresh jar of blueberry blossom honey and put it to work in the kitchen.
The history of cultivated blueberries is worth knowing, too. In 1916, New Jersey farmer Elizabeth White partnered with USDA botanist Frederick Coville to produce the first commercial crop of cultivated blueberries. New Jersey remains a major blueberry state to this day, which is part of why our blueberry blossom honey comes from New Jersey's wild blueberry fields.
Bees and Blueberry Bushes: One of Nature’s Best Partnerships
You can't talk about blueberries without talking about bees. Blueberry bushes depend on bee pollination to produce the large, sweet berries we love. Without bees, blueberry production drops dramatically. Research has shown that bee pollination can increase blueberry yields by up to 1,000 pounds per acre compared to unpollinated fields.
Commercial blueberry farms typically bring in beekeepers who place one to four hives per acre during the two-to-three week blueberry blooming period. The bees forage from blossom to blossom collecting nectar, and in doing so transfer pollen between flowers, directly increasing the number of blossoms that develop into mature berries. The blueberry farmer gets a better harvest. The beekeeper gets access to one of the most distinctive nectar sources of the season. It's a genuinely symbiotic relationship.
That flowering period, when small, white, bell-shaped blossoms open for just a few weeks each spring, is also where blueberry blossom honey comes from. The honey isn't mixed or infused with blueberries. It's pure honey made by bees working almost exclusively among those blossoms, and it carries the fruity, buttery character of the source flower straight into the jar.
Want to dig deeper into what makes this honey special? Our guide What Is Blueberry Honey covers everything from how it's made to what it tastes like and how to use it in the kitchen.
How to Celebrate National Blueberry Month
Thirty-one days is a lot of room to work with. Here are some of our favorite ways to make the most of blueberry month.
Cook and Bake with Blueberries (and Honey)
This is the obvious one, and there's a reason for that. July is when blueberries are at their most flavorful, which means everything you make with them will taste better. A few of our favorite recipes to try this month:
- Honey Blueberry Muffins: our most popular blueberry bake, made with minimally filtered honey instead of refined sugar. The honey adds a richness that complements the berries perfectly.
- Blueberry Smoothie: a quick, no-fuss way to use fresh or frozen blueberries with a spoonful of blueberry honey for natural sweetness.
- Blueberry BBQ Sauce: a summer grilling essential. The combination of blueberries and honey creates a sauce with great depth and a subtle fruity note that works beautifully on chicken or ribs.
- Blueberry Honey Glaze: a five-ingredient glaze for salmon, chicken, or roasted vegetables that shows what this honey can do under heat.
- Honey Blueberry Ice Cream: homemade ice cream sweetened with blueberry honey. A standout dessert for the whole month.
- Blueberry Ketchup: a surprising and versatile condiment that makes a great conversation piece at summer gatherings.
- Black and Blue Jam: a beautiful blackberry and blueberry jam made with honey. Great for preserving peak-season berries.
- Berry Nutty Overnight Oats: a make-ahead breakfast perfect for busy July mornings when blueberries are at their best.
- Honey Mojitos: try muddling fresh blueberries in for a blueberry twist on this summer classic.
Looking for even more inspiration? Our complete collection of blueberry and honey recipes is a good bookmark if you want to keep the ideas coming all month long.
Try Blueberry Honey Straight from the Jar
If you've never tried blueberry blossom honey before, National Blueberry Month is the perfect occasion. Start by tasting it straight: a small spoonful, letting it sit for a moment before swallowing. You'll get the full range of what the blossom contributes: intensely sweet, buttery, with genuine fruity undertones that have nothing to do with flavoring. It's a different experience from grocery store honey, and it's worth savoring.
From there, try it drizzled over goat cheese, stirred into a honey lemon vinaigrette, or used as the sweetener in any of the recipes above. It also shines on a cheese board alongside blue cheeses like Stilton. For a deeper dive into where this honey performs best in the kitchen, from glazes to breakfast to cocktails, our guide on how to use blueberry honey walks through every application. And if you'd like to learn more before you buy, our complete guide to blueberry honey covers the flavor profile, how it's made, and how it compares to other honey varieties.
Visit a Blueberry Farm
If you've never gone blueberry picking, July is the month to do it. U-pick blueberry farms offer one of the most satisfying summer activities, and there's something about picking fruit directly from the bush that makes it taste better. Search for farms near you, bring a container, and pick more than you think you'll need; they freeze beautifully.
You might also get a look at beehives near the bushes. Many blueberry farms keep hives on property or welcome migratory beekeepers during blooming season, and seeing that bee-plant relationship up close gives you a whole new appreciation for what goes into a jar of blueberry blossom honey.
Support Pollinators
National Blueberry Month is a good reminder that blueberry harvests, and the honey made from blueberry blossoms, depend entirely on healthy pollinator populations. Pesticide use, habitat loss, and climate change all put pressure on the bees that make this possible. A few things you can do: support local beekeepers, plant pollinator-friendly gardens, and choose products from farms and producers who prioritize sustainable practices. Our Chesterhaven Beach Farm is maintained as a sanctuary for bees and other pollinators, and it's something we feel strongly about.
Blueberry-Inspired Self-Care in July
The blueberry theme doesn't have to stop at the kitchen door. If you're spending time outdoors this July, at the farm, at the beach, or in the garden, our Place in the Sun body care line captures that same summery, botanical energy.
Our Place in the Sun Body Scrub is formulated with blueberry seeds, which give it a gentle physical texture, alongside honey for a soft, smooth finish. And the Place in the Sun Body Butter features a blend of berries and botanicals that feels at home in every sense during blueberry season. The two together make a nice summer self-care routine, or a thoughtful seasonal gift.
Blueberry Honey Gifts for July
Looking for a unique way to celebrate someone during National Blueberry Month? A jar of blueberry blossom honey makes a memorable gift.
Shopping for someone who loves every berry, not just blueberries? Our roundup of the best gifts for berry lovers covers honey, tea, candy, and skincare picks. Or explore our full range of minimally filtered honey varietals if you'd like to build a gift around a honey tasting experience this summer.
FAQs About National Blueberry Month
When is National Blueberry Month?
National Blueberry Month is celebrated every year throughout the entire month of July. It was first recognized by a joint resolution of Congress in 1974, and the USDA has issued proclamations renewing the designation in the years since.
When is National Blueberry Day?
National Blueberry Day falls on July 8th each year, right in the middle of National Blueberry Month.
What is blueberry blossom honey?
Blueberry blossom honey is a monofloral honey made by bees that forage primarily from blueberry blossoms during their brief spring bloom. It has a buttery, intensely sweet flavor with genuine fruity undertones, not infused or flavored, just the natural character of the blossom.
How do bees help blueberry crops?
Bees pollinate blueberry blossoms as they forage for nectar, transferring pollen between flowers and dramatically increasing berry yields. Research shows bee pollination can increase blueberry production by up to 1,000 pounds per acre compared to fields without pollination services.
Can I use blueberry honey in baking?
Absolutely. Blueberry honey is especially good in blueberry muffins, smoothies, glazes, and anywhere you want the honey to contribute a fruity note rather than a neutral sweetness.
Where does Bee Inspired blueberry honey come from?
Our blueberry blossom honey is sourced from beekeepers working in New Jersey's wild blueberry fields during the spring bloom. It's minimally filtered and Star K Kosher certified.
