Description
Aronia (Choke) Berry
Dried, Whole Berries
Origin: Bulgaria
organic cultivation
The Aronia shrub, a member of the Rosaceae family, is native to North America, where it thrives in wet woods, and is called Chokeberry.
The native population’s appreciation of the dried berries as winter food was observed by the Russian botanist Mitschurin, who brought the Aronia shrub back home from one of his world travels, and started to develop frost resistant strains for commercial berry production during the Lenin and Stalin Sowjet area.
Since it’s original introduction, Aronia melanocarpa has naturalized in Europe.
It an easily cultivated, ornamental, low-growing forest under-story shrub that produces bright red fall foliage.
Aronia melanocarpa Flowers
The dainty white flowers, which emerge in late spring (May), ripen into dark purple berries by late summer/early fall, and provide winter food for forest wild life.
The berries are rich in anti-oxidants, such as polyphenols, especially anthocyanins, a fact which has received recent attention on the American Super-Food scene.
In East and West Europe the berries have been enjoyed for decades in a variety of food and drink recipes.
The American name ‘chokeberry’ indicates another important trait of this berry:
It is so highly astringent, that it make one’s mouth pucker when eaten; it does not taste good raw .
Cooked, however, it becomes a delicious base for antioxidant-rich juices, jams, jellies, marmalade, syrups, wines, desserts, baked goods such as muffins and cakes, ice cream and herbal tea blends.
- Simmer berries on a low flame in water, apple cider or wine, add to broths, add to stews, use to make chutney, jam, jelly, marmalade, and fruit paste.
- Add to cereals, granola, muesli, baked goods, desserts, puddings.
- Great to add to any slow cooking dishes, such as meat roasts, vegetable stews, or legumes/pulses.
- Infuse berries in healthy vegetable oils, or vinegars, for cooking.
- Infuse in alcohol and sugar to create a cocktail ingredient.
- Infuse in sugar or salt for a culinary ingredient.
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Consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using herbal products particularly if you are pregnant, nursing or on any medication.
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This information is for educational purposes only,
and not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
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