For The Most Delicious Blueberries, Pair Them With This Spice

Summer is peak blueberry season in the United States, and millions of green-fingered enthusiasts who took our fertilizer advice will be hoping for a sweet harvest. Whether you're picking blueberries by the handful from your own yard, foraging them in the wild, or prefer to grab them from your grocery store's frozen section, there is no shortage of ways to use them. Pies, muffins, jams, and jellies all spring to mind, and we've got just the thing to amp up that fruity flavor: coriander. Just a pinch of this ground-up seed is enough to transform your blueberry bakes from yummy to outstanding, and it's all thanks to a little science.

You might think blueberries and coriander had nothing in common, but they have one important shared compound — they both contain linalool, part of a family of volatile organic compounds called terpenes. Linalool is renowned for having an aroma many describe as herby, floral, and citrusy (lavender and citrus fruits are also sources of linalool). A pile of tart, sweet blueberries or earthy-tasting coriander seed probably doesn't bring any of those odors to mind, but we're talking subtle hints rather than in-your-face flavor. When used together, the linalool in coriander enhances the taste of the fruit, making them more blueberryish! "I've added a pinch when making blueberry cobbler and it really elevates the taste of the blueberries," one Redditor said.

Don't be tempted to throw some cilantro into your blueberry confections, thinking it's the same as coriander seed. Although we do get the former from the latter, they taste completely different; as well as that curry note, coriander seed gives pepper and a smidge of citrus (hello linalool). You can buy them whole and blitz them yourself or pick up a pre-made jar for your spice rack. If you want to intensify their flavor even more, lightly toast your coriander seeds for just a few moments before grinding them — your blueberries will thank you later!

Coriander seeds don't just bring out the best in summer fruits, either. If apples are your thing, putting the two together is a flavor pairing for the ages. You'll wonder how you ever made an apple pie without them! Plenty of veggies benefit from a pinch of coriander powder, too, from cauliflower and spinach to tomatoes and green beans, and if you liked our tip to use this packet soup to amp up your eggs, then coriander seeds should definitely be next on your list of added extras.

This versatile spice is also delicious when paired with chicken and fish, of course, it will bring depth to curries, but don't sleep on adding a little to your next batch of homemade bread. If you want to really delight the fam, combine a pinch of coriander powder with chocolate — a frosting or ganache are good examples — then watch whatever you've baked vanish in an instant.