In Hungary obtaining bilberries requires some planning and forward-thinking. If you are lucky enough, you can buy them on the local market, otherwise you need to look for a “dealer” or picker, who can supply you directly with those nearly black, juicy berries. Bilberries are difficult to grow and have small fruits, so they are not or seldom cultivated. Fruits are picked from wild plants – the nearest habitat to my home can be found in the forests of Transylvanian Mountains.

Bilberries are softer and juicier than blueberries, making them difficult to transport. Due to these factors, bilberries are only available fresh on markets. They are eaten fresh or made into jams and dishes. Bilberries have been used in the folklore medicine. The fruit has a good effect on the intestinal flora, it makes the mucous membrane resistant to digestive problems, chronic enteritis, infections and diarrhea. It can also cure mouth diseases. Bilberry leaf tea lowers blood sugar.

A few weeks ago I made bilberry jam. I often use it as a sauce for wild games, but now I wanted to bake something sweet. I made a yeast dough, filled with a mixture of melted chocolate, cocoa powder and bilberry jam and rolled up into tiny crescents. The result became superb.