New Jersey's Official State Muffin

We all know some states have quirky food traditions — from the peach cobbler in Georgia to the deep-dish pizza in Chicago. But New Jersey just made it official, and honestly, it's pretty sweet: meet the state's new official muffin — the blueberry muffin!

In 2024, New Jersey proudly crowned the blueberry muffin as its official state muffin. But the road to muffin royalty wasn’t as simple as just picking a flavor. It all started with an 11-year-old student, Delize Patterson, who thought, “Why doesn’t New Jersey have its own state muffin?” She wrote to state representative Carol Murphy, sparking a movement that would take eight years to fully bake. After a lot of discussions, tastings, and lobbying, the blueberry muffin was officially named the winner. Talk about turning a class project into a state-changing mission!

Why the Blueberry Muffin Makes Perfect Sense for NJ

So, why did the blueberry muffin win out? Well, it turns out the blueberry is basically New Jersey’s unofficial mascot. The state is one of the biggest producers of blueberries in the U.S., and fun fact: the commercial blueberry was actually born in New Jersey! Back in the early 1900s, Elizabeth White and Frederick Coville figured out how to cultivate the fruit in Browns Mills, NJ, changing the blueberry game forever. It wasn’t long before those juicy berries made their way into muffins, which historians believe first popped up around 1916.

Today, New Jersey churns out about 50 million pounds of blueberries every year — and those berries bring in about $90 million for the state's economy. They’re not just good for your taste buds, either. Blueberries are packed with vitamins, antioxidants, and all-around goodness. So, it makes total sense that the blueberry muffin, with its sweet and tart punch, would be *the* muffin for New Jersey.

A Muffin that Says ‘Jersey’

At the end of the day, the blueberry muffin is more than just a tasty breakfast treat — it’s a nod to New Jersey’s agricultural roots and a reminder of how local pride can turn a humble snack into something iconic. So, the next time you grab a muffin, remember: you’re not just eating a breakfast favorite, you’re biting into a piece of New Jersey history. And if you’re in the Garden State, there’s no better way to rep your state than with a muffin packed with blueberries grown right where you live!