40+ Blue Foods – Ultimate Blue Foods, Drinks, Snacks List

Blue foods are often associated with cold weather, but this is only a partial truth. In fact, blue foods are quite common in the Northern Hemisphere, especially in the winter. If you’re from the north, chances are you love blueberries! Not all blue foods are related to the color, but many of them are, in fact, foods that are blue in nature. The following list of foods is a good representation of many different types of blue.

If you’re looking to add some blue food to your diet, these foods are sure to do just that. They are healthy and can be incorporated into your regular meals throughout the week. So, there you have it – 40+ Blue Foods – Ultimate Blue Foods, Drinks, Snacks List!

Blueberries

Elderberries
Black Currants
Plums

Dates
Grapes
Prunes

Blue Marble Tree
Blue Agave
Eggplants

Blue Corn
Blue Potatoes
Blue Tomatoes

Blue Pumpkins
Filius Blue Peppers
Blue Squid Ink Pasta

Tuna
Mackerel
Salmon

Eel
Sardine
Herring

Blue Caviar
Blue Cheese
Blue Eggs

Blueberry Yogurt
Blue M&Ms Candy
Indigo Milk Cap

Butterfly Pea Flower Tea
Sapphire Martini
Chi-Chi

Blueberry Mojito
Blue Hawaiian
Blue Moon

Fanta Berry
Schweppes Fairy Floss
Starflower

Persian Blue Salt
Borage Spice
Black Turmeric

Blueberries

Blueberries are one of the main summer treats. These berries belong to the category of “superfood” – food with a wide range of health benefits containing minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants. Blueberries are rich in vitamin K, manganese, and anthocyanin, with great antioxidant effects. Also, anthocyanin gives berries such a blue-purple color. Consuming elements contained in blueberries have a lot of health benefits – regulation of blood pressure, prevention of heart diseases, healthy bones and skin, and many others.

Another benefit of blueberries is their taste. These blue and purple berries are slightly sweet with a bit of acid taste – the perfect combination of sweetness and sourness. Berries also do not lose their taste and nutritious benefits after freezing. Blueberries are the perfect vitamin burst throughout the whole year.

Elderberries

You might have seen bunches of small blue-black berries on Sambucus trees in the Northern and Southern parts of our planet. They are not only important food for animals but also for people. For us, these berries are important, first of all, because of their alleged health benefits. Elderberries contain a high level of antioxidants, Vitamins A and C, potassium, and iron. Therefore, this blue color food is believed to have a good effect on the immune system. Elderberries are used for the treatment of colds, flu, and other respiratory diseases, minor skin problems, and stress.

However, this small dark blueberry is very tricky and presents some risks. Also, elderberries have some health benefits, it is recommended to have limited doses of this berry. Moreover, unripe and uncooked elderberries, as well as seeds and some other parts of the tree, have toxic elements and might cause some side effects when consumed, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Also, if consumed in large amounts, elderberries might cause poisoning.

Black Currants

This dark-colored small berry is very popular because of its nutritious benefits. Berries have a tart and a bit of acid taste, and an earthy undertone. They are not super sweet. Black currents help with health issues, including strengthening the immune system, regulating blood flow, and improving eyes and kidney health. Berries are used for jams, juices, and other fruit drinks.

However, black currants are widespread in Europe, but a large number of Americans have never tried this berry in their life. In the late 1800s, the US had a wide area covered with black currants, white currants, and gooseberries. But later, black currants spread a fungus that destroyed white pine trees and threatened the whole timber industry. Therefore, in the early 1900s, black current commercial growth was banned in the US.

Plums

Plums, being the second most cultivated fruit in the world, are not only tasty but also very nutritious with several health benefits. There is a great variety of plums different in size and color – plums can be blue, red, yellow, and purple, small and large. Therefore, the taste also varies – from sweet to tart.

Despite the great variety of plums, all of them are very beneficial for your health. Plums contain vitamins A, C, and K, manganese, potassium, and antioxidants. Therefore, the range of health benefits is big, including lowering blood pressure, improvement of memory and brain, slowing the development of Alzheimer’s disease, and many more.

Dates

Fresh dates are the fruits of date palm trees. Usually, they grow in tropical regions of the world. This sweet fruit has been satisfying sweet tooth around the world for centuries. The name of the fruit originates from the Greek word daktulos – meaning fingers. Indeed, the shape of the fruit resembles fingers. While dried dates are more widespread and popular, fresh dates can also be consumed.

In addition to the intensive sweet caramel taste, dates are good for your health. They are nutritious and rich in fiber, antioxidants, and potassium. Therefore, the consumption of dates reduces the risks of body inflammation, improves brain health, and, despite the high level of sugar, dates might regulate blood sugar.

Grapes

The diversity of grapes in the world impresses. You can find grapes of different colors, including yellow, red, green, black, and blue, and of different shapes, ranging from round, oval, drop-shaped, and others. Overall, there are around 16 000 varieties of grapes in the world. Since there are a lot of types of these berries (grapes are berries, not fruits), the taste also varies – they can be sweet, sour, or taste like muscat or cotton candy.

Grapes are very important for wine production. Not all sorts of grapes are used for wine. Red wines are the most popular in the world. Most exquisite red wines are made of blue grapes such as Merlot, Pinot Noir, Cabernet Sauvignon (the most grown type of grapes), Syrah, and others.

Prunes

Prunes are dried plums. Not all plums are suitable for drying, therefore, not all plums can become prunes. Prunes are sweet and, in most cases, are used as a snack.

Prunes are quite popular among people because of their alleged health benefits. Thus, research showed that prunes are good for bones as they increase bone mineral density. Also, prunes are the source of fiber, Vitamin K, and phenols which also have health benefits.

Blue Marble Tree

Blue Marble Tree is a common name for Elaeocarpus angustifolius – the evergreen tree which grows in tropical areas. This tree has a very distinctive fruit – a bright blue fleshy drupe. The fruit can be consumed, however, you will not find it enjoyable since it has a sour and bitter taste.

Blue Marble Tree is sacred in India and is used for rudraksha prayer beads. It is believed that the seeds of this fruit have a magnetic field.

Blue Agave

Tequila lovers from all over the world know this plant for sure because blue agave is the main ingredient for tequila production. This plant with green-blue leaves grows in the sandy soils of Mexico in the form of a large succulent with long sharp leaves somehow similar to aloe. This plant is used mainly to produce tequila and mezcal – traditional Mexican alcoholic drinks.

Blue agave was a sacred plant for indigenous Mexican people. Now agave landscape and ancient industrial facilities of tequila are recognized by UNESCO as a Cultural Landscape of Humanity.

Eggplants

Many people think that this tasty plant with a funny name is a vegetable, but eggplant is classified as a fruit and technically is a berry. A fruit develops from a flower and contains seeds, which is true for eggplant. But also, a berry develops from a flower and has a lot of edible seeds. Therefore, eggplant is classified as a berry. However, due to its taste and nutritious characteristics, it is used as a vegetable.

Eggplants are widely used for their nutritious benefits. Eggplant is a source of fiber, manganese, Vitamin B-6, thiamin, and antioxidants. Therefore, it brings a lot of health benefits for people, including better heart health, reduced risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, better cognitive functions, and others.

Blue Corn

One cannot surprise people with yellow corn, but blue one has all chances to do it. However, you cannot surprise the Mexicans with blue corn since it is a traditional ingredient used for national dishes, for example, tortillas. Blue corn has a sweet taste, so it can be even used for sweets, such as muffins, sweet bread, and pies.

Blue corn is healthier than usual yellow. Blue corn is rich in antioxidants and anthocyanins and has a low level of glycemic index. Therefore, it might protect people from heart diseases and diabetes, reduce inflammation in the body and help reduce weight.

Blue Potatoes

Even though blue potato is not that popular in the world, it has its place among superfoods. Blue potato originates from South America, and only in the second half of the XX century it started spreading around the world.

The taste of blue potato is not that different from ordinary potato. However, the blue one has a very high level of antioxidants and other vitamins and minerals; therefore can be considered even as a superfood. Its health benefits include improved heart and eye health, reduced blood sugar, and improved blood pressure.

Blue Tomatoes

Another food that is blue is blue tomato. Blue tomatoes, as we can see now in the shops and markets, are not naturally grown. Grown in a natural environment, blue tomatoes are not tasty, and people do not consume them. Blue tomatoes became commercially available after the hard work and 12 years of cross-breeding of wild blue tomatoes and ordinary red ones. First, blue tomatoes were created at the Oregon State University. As a result, edible blue tomatoes were created with a high level of anthocyanin.

The taste and flavor of blue tomatoes depend on the variety, however, all of them contain a high level of anthocyanin – a natural antioxidant. Due to that fact, blue tomatoes have a lot of health benefits and can become a great part of your diet and healthy eating habits.

Blue Pumpkins

You are used to seeing yellow pumpkins on Halloween, can you imagine having a blue one in front of your house? Well, it is not a fantasy but reality. Even when the skin of a pumpkin is blue, the flesh is yellow. It has a mild sweet taste and fruity flavor. Therefore, it is widely used for pies, soups, and stew.

Displaying blue pumpkins during Halloween has a deep meaning. Blue pumpkins are used on Halloween for rising autism education awareness. A blue pumpkin on the porch can mean that a family has a child on the autism spectrum. Also, displaying such a decoration means that people living in the house created a more welcoming atmosphere and environment for children with autism and their families.

Filius Blue Peppers

The least one can expect is a blue, not red pepper. However, this chili pepper that can be grown in the garden as well as in the container is indeed blue. And if you think that jalapeño is the spiciest thing you have ever tried, try this blue pepper. Filius blue pepper is four to twenty times spicier than jalapeño.

Filius blue pepper is used for sauces and salsas. It can also be used for salads and other dishes, although it is recommended to use red pepper since it is not that spicy.

Blue Squid Ink Pasta

Today you cannot surprise anymore with blue squid ink pasta. Dishes with squid ink are mainly served in Japanese and Mediterranean cuisines. Squid ink adds not only gorgeous color but also rich, salty, and a bit fishy taste – just perfect for the dinner by the seaside. Just be careful with the ink – your mouth might become blue or black for some time. Maybe blue squid ink pasta is not the best idea for the first date.

Interestingly, blue ink that can also reach black color is a defensive mechanism of squids – when squids are threatened, they release ink into the water. Water becomes dark, which gives the opportunity for squids to escape and hide.

Tuna

If you ask people what their favorite fish is, in most cases, you will get the answer “tuna”. And it is no surprise since tuna is one the most popular and eaten fish in the world. Tuna has a creamy taste with notes of meat, and the texture is soft and juicy. Because of its meaty taste, it is sometimes called beef from the ocean. Tuna is extremely nutritious and healthy. It is rich in protein, fatty acids, and sodium, which is very good for heart health.

Do not be surprised when you see served raw tuna. Tuna is frequently served raw, for example, in sushi and sashimi. Raw tuna is safe when it is properly prepared. And it is extremely delicious. Do not miss the chance to try it.

Mackerel

Mackerel is another popular saltwater fish. The distinctive feature of mackerel is blue-greenish stripes on the back. Every year around 8 million tons of this fish are harvested from the sea. Mackerel is rich in omega-3 oils, therefore, it is a bit oily and fatty. The taste is surprisingly similar to salmon when it is fresh. The texture is firm and tender. Like other fish, mackerel can be served fresh, cooked, or canned.

Salmon

Grilled, fried, poached, roasted, smoked – salmon can be served in any of these forms. Salmon is not only one of the most nutritious fish but products overall on the planet. This fish is rich in selenium, Vitamin B12, omega-3, phosphorus, and many more elements. Therefore, salmon has a quite impressive list of health benefits, including benefits for heart health, inflammation prevention, improvement of brain functions, eyesight, and mental health.

There are many ways to prepare salmon, but one of the most popular ones is cooked in parchment. It is the best way to keep the great taste, soft structure, and tender flavor.

Eel

If you happen to see a long, fast, snake-looking creature in the water, don’t be afraid, it is an eel. It is not harmful to people, provided you don’t eat raw eels since its blood is poisonous. But as long as an eel is prepared in the right way, it is safe. Indeed, cooked eel is quite popular, especially in Asian countries, such as Japan. In restaurants, you can find grilled or fried eel.

Sardine

Interestingly, the name sardine refers not to one particular type of fish but to several species of fish. The name is believed to come from the name of the Italian island Sardinia because there used to be a great population of these fish.

In most cases, sardines are served canned in water, oil, or tomato sauce. The taste depends on the way sardines are prepared, but overall they are fishy, meaty, and oily. Sardines are good, freshly grilled, for salads and toasts.

Herring

Herring is a small, silver-blue fish rich in protein, omega-3, and vitamin D. Herring has several benefits – it is cheap and highly nutritious. Therefore, it has been a part of the daily menu for centuries. The most famous country for herring fish is the Netherlands. People there love eating raw herring with onions or pickles. Herring can be prepared in numerous ways – raw, pickled, fried, boiled, and grilled. Grilled or fried herring is especially tasty.

Blue Caviar

Blue caviar is the roe of wild fish scampi. It is mostly harvested near Australia between November and March. It is not very tasty but also extremely beautiful. It looks like small blue sapphires. And its taste can be described as a bit fishy and a bit salty – the taste of the ocean.

Since caviar is an expensive product, people usually eat it in small portions with cheese, small pancakes, or a toast of fresh crispy bread.

Blue Cheese

Blue cheese is a semi-soft cheese with a distinctive taste, flavor, and appearance. Blue cheese is made with edible Penicillium cultures. Cheese has a salty, spicy, and tangy taste and a strong stinky flavor. It may seem that the flavor is unpleasant, but it is not like that once you get used to it. Blue cheese can be enjoyed separately with wine or used for a variety of dishes – soups, salads, or pizza.

Blue Eggs

If you have not seen blue eggs, you may think that they are not real. But they are among light blue food. Actually, three chicken breeds have blue eggs – Cream Legbars, Ameraucanas, and Araucanas. The blue pigment makes not only the shell but also the inside part. You may wonder if the taste of blue eggs differs from other eggs. And the answer is no. The color of the shell does not influence the taste or nutritional value of eggs.

Blueberry Yogurt

What can be tastier than blueberry yogurt? Blueberries themselves are tasty and good for your health, but together with yogurt, they create an awesome duet. Yogurt is high in protein and probiotics, which is good for gut health. According to studies, blueberries with yogurt reduce the level of inflammation in the organism and increase the level of protective bacteria.

You can easily find blueberry yogurt in shops or make it at home. The recipe is the easiest possible – all you need is to mix yogurt with berries. It takes less than 5 min to make such a tasty mix but brings a lot of health benefits.

Blue M&Ms Candy

In the package of your favorite M&Ms, you will find small blue candies. Blue is not the original color of candies. The blue color was introduced in 1995 as a replacement for tan M&Ms. Interestingly, M&Ms were created in 1941 and the concept was for soldiers to have chocolate that would not melt. The slogan was “Melt in your mouth, not in your hand.”

Honestly, the taste of different M&Ms is pretty similar, if not the same. Therefore, it is hard to distinguish the taste of blue candies. However, different candies have slightly different tastes. Thus, blue has a slightly minty taste and flavor. But the best way to find the difference is to try them yourself.

Indigo Milk Cap

If you do not know what Indigo Milk Cap is, you would never guess that it is a mushroom. These mushrooms look like they are from a different planet – maybe Avatar? However, you should not be afraid to try them because they are edible and do not have any drug effects. Mostly these blue mushrooms grow in pine and oak forests.

Mushrooms have a taste similar to portobello. In addition to being edible, Indigo Milk Cap is also used as a basis for fluorescent pigments.

Butterfly Pea Flower Tea

Butterfly Pea Flower Tea, or simply blue tea, is caffeine-free herbal tea famous for its vibrant blue color. In addition, butterfly pea flowers are used in cosmetics or food, drinks as natural blue dyeing pigment. In herbal tea, the butterfly pea flower has a bit of a sweet and floral taste. Also, to enrich the taste and flavor, you can add some lemon juice or honey to the tea.

Butterfly pea flower tea has some potential health benefits. Thus, flowers of this plant improve skin and hair condition and might help reduce weight and stabilize sugar levels in the blood.

Sapphire Martini

The color of sapphire martini can attract anyone. The Sapphire Martini cocktail has two basic ingredients – gin and blue curaçao. Surprisingly, the sapphire martini has a citrus taste. This is because blue curaçao has a bitter orange taste. Therefore, usually, the sapphire martini is decorated with orange peels.

One of the secrets of sapphire martini is that it is made from ice-cold gin and poured into a frozen martini glass.

Chi-Chi

This cocktail with an ocean blue color is a perfect fit for the summer heat. Sometimes a chi-chi cocktail is called a blue version of a piña colada with vodka. The traditional recipe contains vodka, blue curaçao, which gives that beautiful color, coconut cream, ice cream, and blended ice – a refreshing summer mix. Sometimes for better tropical taste, instead of the usual vodka, coconut vodka is used. This cocktail is perfect if you want to relax and not get tipsy because it is not so strong.

Blueberry Mojito

This cocktail is not completely blue itself, it is purple. But blueberries make it more interesting and refreshing. The recipe for a blueberry mojito is simple. All you need is blueberries, lemon juice, mint leaves, superfine sugar, and light rum. Light rum is the traditional choice for mojitos, but if you do not drink alcohol, you can add light soda instead of rum. Blueberry mojito will not leave summer heat any chance.

Blue Hawaiian

It is extremely easy to confuse Blue Hawaii and Blue Hawaiian cocktails. The Blue Hawaiian cocktail was named after the 1937 song by Bing Crosby. And the name suits it perfectly with its ocean blue color. The traditional recipe has rum, cream of coconut, blue curaçao, pineapple juice, and ice. At the same time, Blue Hawaii contains rum, vodka, blue curaçao, and a sweet and sour mix. Blue Hawaiian is not too strong. It could be compared with a glass of strong wine. And if you add more ice, it becomes even less strong.

Blue Moon

Good gin is the perfect basis for a blue moon cocktail. It contains gin, Creme de Violette – dark liqueur from the violet flower, and lemon juice. The drink has quite a long history. Blue moon became popular in the 1920s. Despite the name, the drink is more purple than blue. Do not confuse the blue moon cocktail with the aviation cocktail. Despite the fact they both contain Crème de Violette, the Aviation cocktail also has Maraschino liqueur, and it contains more alcohol than a blue moon.

Fanta Berry

Despite the popularity of orange Fanta, there are more flavors and tastes. One of them is Fanta Berry. It has a deep blue color and a mix of blueberry and strawberry taste. Fanta Berry is one of the newest editions of Fanta. The color of soda can be disturbing since there are not so many natural products with such a bright blue color. However, the producer claims that Fanta Berry is 100% natural and also caffeine-free.

Schweppes Fairy Floss

One of the light blue foods, or rather drinks, is Schweppes Fairy Floss.You never knew Schweppes can be blue and with such a flavor. The light blue color of Schweppes Fairy Floss is amazing. The taste can be described as sweet cotton candy lemonade. People drink it separately as well as in mix with other drinks and cocktails.

Starflower

The starflower looks exactly as the name describes it – a small blue flower. It smells like honey or soap and can be found in South America, particularly Argentina and Uruguay, and North America. Starflower oil has health benefits and is used to ease hormonal disbalance and help with premenstrual stress.

Persian Blue Salt

Persian blue salt is not something you can see every day. It is made in Iran in Semnan (the former name of Iran is Persia, from which comes the name of salt), and the color comes from the special mineral in the salt. You can also find other names – indigo salt or Semnan blue salt. It can be used as an ordinary salt in dishes. Blue salt best goes with fish, meat dishes, and seafood.

Borage Spice

Another name for borage is starflower. The leaves and flowers of the plant are edible and taste a bit like cucumber. So it can be consumed fresh in salads, soups, and other dishes. Borage is rather an herb than a spice. Also, it has some healing characteristics since borage is used to treat fever, coughing, and even depression.

Black Turmeric

Black turmeric is an herb made from the roots of the plant of the same name. The plant itself resembles ginger, but the roots inside are blue. Black turmeric is widely used in medicine for stomach problems, inflamed tonsils, and wounds healing. Black turmeric is not something you will enjoy because it has a bitter, peppery taste. But still, it can be used with some products such as milk, tea, coffee, or even desserts.

Conclusion

The color blue brings a lot to the table. It can make you feel happy, calm, and serene, but it can also bring clarity in a dark room or inspire action. The following list of foods is a good representation of many different types of blue. If you’re looking to add some blue food to your diet, be sure to go to the shops and buy some of the foods from our ultimate blue foods list!

Blue Foods FAQ

What are some blue foods to eat?

It is interesting to see what food is naturally blue. And the number of blue color food is impressive. The blue foods list includes fruits, vegetables, berries, meat, fish, drinks, and snacks.

Are there blue vegetables?

Sure, vegetables are rich in colors, and blue is one of them. Blue vegetables include eggplants, cabbage, carrot, peppers, blue corn, potato, Belgian endive, wax beans, black salsify, purple asparagus, etc.

Which vegetable is blue?

Blue is not the most widespread color among vegetables, but some vegetables indeed have a blue color. Thus, they include blue potato, blue cabbage, Nonna Agnes blue beans, and even mushroom Indigo milk cap. All blue vegetables are healthy since they get color from anthocyanins.