Bountiful wild blueberries in the Şalpazarı highlands

The high-altitude plateaus of Trabzon's Şalpazarı district turn into a riot of colors with the arrival of autumn. The black natural fruits, which grow spontaneously along the forest edges and are known locally as "shepherd's strawberry," "bush strawberry," or "wild blueberry," enliven both the table and the economy of the local people. These days, highlanders take their buckets, boxes, and baskets into their hands, and from the early morning hours, they gather these delicious fruits in the cool and clean air of the plateaus. The collected strawberries are not only consumed fresh but are also transformed into traditional products such as jam, marmalade, and syrup, becoming essentials for winter preparations and adorning the tables. Hanım Bektaş, who practices highland farming at Sis Mountain Plateau, emphasized that the bush strawberry is an indispensable part of the highland culture in this region, saying, "With the arrival of autumn, ...