What Are Aronia Berries?
Aronia berries are a type of fruit that have been cultivated since ancient times. They were first discovered in China around 500 BC. Today they are grown all over the world, especially in tropical regions where they provide food for animals and humans alike. The berries contain high levels of vitamins A, C, B1, B2 and several other nutrients.
The most popular form of aronia berries is the dried fruit, which is used in many different ways. Some people eat it raw or cooked like a banana, while others use it as a dessert topping or even as a tea. There are various types of aronia berries; some are sweeter than others and some have more fiber than others. When eaten together with fruits and vegetables, they can help increase the nutritional value of those foods.
How Do I Use Aronia Berries?
Aronia berries are commonly used in cooking because they do not spoil quickly and they taste good when prepared properly. For example, one of the best uses is as a substitute for bananas in desserts such as ice cream. Another great way to use aronia berries is to make a juice from them. They can be added into juices made from other fruits or vegetables, but they will usually reduce their flavor if added directly to the juices themselves.
Some people like to make aronia berry tea, which can be done by drying the berries and then boiling them in hot water. They can also be cooked into stews, puddings and pies. Aronia berries can even be eaten raw though this is not recommended due to their high tannin content, which can be toxic when eaten in large quantities.
Aronia berries sometimes have small black seeds inside that are not usually eaten. These seeds can be used to grow your own aronia plants. They are a hardy fruit that can grow in most temperate climate zones. Aronia plants will produce berries year round, even if it is not always the best time of year to harvest them.
What Are The Potential Health benefits Of Aronia Berries?
Aronia berries contain several nutrients that can improve your health in several ways. These nutrients include fiber, carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins and minerals. The berries contain high levels of antioxidants that can help protect the body against diseases and slow down the aging process. Aronia berries are believed to reduce the risk of cancer, heart disease, eye and liver diseases.
The berries are also high in vitamin C, which helps the body build collagen. Collagen is a protein that helps keep skin, bones, muscles, cartilage and teeth healthy. It can also help wounds heal quicker. Aronia berries also contain antioxidant flavonoids such as quercetin, galic acid and anthocyanin.
These ingredients can reduce the risk of cancer by neutralizing free radicals in the blood.
These berries are also high in fiber, and this can help keep the digestive system running smoothly by speeding the passage of food through the intestines. Aronia berries can also help to lower blood sugar levels and therefore can be useful for treating type 2 diabetes.
How Do I Know If I Like Aronia Berries?
Before cooking with aronia berries or juicing them, it is a good idea to try one raw first. Some people find the taste a little too sour or tart, but others really enjoy the unique flavor.
What Happens If I Eat Too Many Aronia Berries?
Eating too many of these delicious berries may cause some minor intestinal discomfort and gastro-intestinal problems. This is due to the high tannin content of the aronia berry. Some people may also experience some itching or mild skin rash if they are allergic to these berries.
Where Can I Buy This Fruit And How Much Does It Cost?
Aronia berries can be found at some farmer’s markets and health food stores. They are becoming more popular and are likely to become more widely available in the near future.
The berries can be found fresh, dried or frozen and all forms will vary in price. The average cost of one pound of aronia berries is between $10 and $15.
How Can I Use Aronia Berries?
Aronia berries can be eaten raw, cooked, juiced or turned into jam or wine. They can be used in place of raspberries in any recipe and some people think they have a better flavor and texture. They also make a delicious juice when combined with other fruits and vegetables.
Try blending aronia berries with apples, carrots and ginger for a tasty health drink.
For a dessert, try making some aronia berry jam or preserves.
If you want to cook with the fresh berries, it is best to cook them first before eating because some people have reported slight gastric discomfort when eating them raw. They can be added to pancakes, oatmeal or baked goods.
Make sure you remove the stems and rinse them thoroughly before cooking because they tend to have a lot of dirt and pesticide on them when purchased.
Aronia berry jam or preserves make a great spread for bread or crackers.
It can also be turned into wine or liquor and the dried berries can be turned into a delicious tea.
Sources & references used in this article:
Aronia–A New Crop for Iowa by E Everhart – Retrieved May, 2013 – publications.iowa.gov
Immunomodulating activity of Aronia melanocarpa polyphenols by GTT Ho, M Bräunlich, I Austarheim… – International journal of …, 2014 – mdpi.com
Extracts, anthocyanins and procyanidins from Aronia melanocarpa as radical scavengers and enzyme inhibitors by M Bräunlich, R Slimestad, H Wangensteen, C Brede… – Nutrients, 2013 – mdpi.com
Antioxidant Content of Aronia Infused Beer by A Jahn, J Kim, KMI Bashir – Fermentation, 2020 – mdpi.com
