Originally posted by Hadley333:

Are there really stews out there that include blueberries IRL?

Keep in mind the geographic region we are talking about. I live in the same latitude and the game animals eat alot of Blueberries and such (and other game that have already eaten Blueberries and are in the gut when eaten whole by the predator) during the winter (frozen under the snow) so in the spring hunts you get game meat that already has flavour "taint" with Blueberries so they go quite well with cooking with them.

In the Fall if you hunt the same game animal the flavour will be different since they have been eating differently all spring and summer. Recipes may have to be adjusted. Remember the weather at these latitudes change wildly and are harsh necessitating a varied seasonal diet (don't forget changing seasonal predator activity) which changes the game animal (fat, blood, hormones, endorphins/cortisol content levels etc) and then its flavour.

In world regions where seasons are stable, or not as harsh, allowing the game animals to eat a consistent diet year round (and sometimes close to a human diet), Blueberries may not work in cooking, as the game meat flavour has other "taints" that can clash with such things as Blueberries. Predator activity (limited or numerous), and whether it has seasonal changes, can change the flavour too. Also national hunting regulations may only allow certain hunting times (especially if no First Nations exemptions, or similar) which can give a regular flavour to meat that people think is normal and make for consistent recipes year-round making things like Blueberries a real obstacle.

Then Migratory game and Farmed game animals (not cows, chickens etc, but domesticated wild game) is a whole other recipe dilemma ... lol. And lets not get started about Fish and so-called "wild" Fish in grocery stores that are actually river-farmed.

Wow, look at me ramble ... I must be bored, time to play.