A Delicious New Berry For The Prairies!!
If you love Blueberries and Saskatoons, keep reading these are the berries for you!
What Are They???
Blue Honeysuckle is a dark blue berry which has a white waxy covering similar to blueberries. This 3-4 cm elongated berry, which can weigh up to 2 grams, has a pleasant sweet-tart taste. The seeds are unnoticeable similar to the blueberry or saskatoon.
Where Do They Come From???
Blue Honeysuckle originated in Siberia. They are quite common today in Russia, China and Japan. A few varieties have been available in North America, but none with berries this large and juicy.
Are They Healthy???
Blue Honeysuckle has many healthy characteristics. Vitamin C levels are very high- reaching 50-70 mg/100g of fresh fruit. There are high levels of thyocynins and phenolic compounds which have antioxidant properties. These tasty berries are also thought to aid in reducing blood pressure and have a therapeutic effect on cardiovascular disease.Some even say that blue honeysuckle can help to cure gastrointestinal diseases and malaria.
What Do You Do With Them???
The Japanese have found many uses for blue honeysuckle. They use the berries in everything from jam, jellies and candies to ice-cream, yogurt and tea. The Japanese even make a berry flavored noodle with blue honeysuckle! The berries can be treated and used just as you would blueberries or saskatoons. They can be eaten fresh, processed, or frozen for later use. The juice stays a deep red-purple color. The pigments do not change with processing making the brightly colored juice good for adding color to other products.
When And Where Can I Get Them???
Blue Honeysuckle is the first fruit of the season. The berries are ripe even before strawberries! Normally the berries are ready to pick in mid to late June. Blue honeysuckle is a new fruit crop for the Prairies and is not readily available at this time, but this should change in the next couple of years. Check with your local fruit growers.
Photos courtesy of Maxine Thompson, Oregon State University.
This web page was designed by Janine Kopanko-Kerber on Dec.1 2002.This was used as an assignment for the Advanced Fruit Growing Class at the University of Saskatchewan.