Haskap Berry

 

The haskap, a member of the honeysuckle family, was first introduced to Canada around 1967, and is sometimes known as ‘edible blue honeysuckle’, ‘Honeyberry’, ‘sweetberry’ and ‘haskap’.

 

The berry is grown on the island of Hokkaido, Japan, and was named ‘hasukappu’ by the indigenous Ainu.Haskap are high in anthocyanins, vitamin C, phenolic compounds and other antioxidants.

 

They have been used to reduce blood pressure and relieve gastrointestinal disorders, and there are reports of curative effects when used on malaria.

 

Haskap also contain traces of selenium, the element said in Japanese folklore to restore youth.

 

COMMON NAMES FOR LONICERA CAERULEA INCLUDE:

• Haskap (derived from the Japanese for “little presents on the end of branches”)

• Blue Honeysuckle

• Honeyberry TM

• Sweet Berry Honeysuckle

• Twin Berry Honeysuckle

 

 

What does a Haskap Berry look and taste like?

 

The Haskap Berry is a small oval berry, often likened in shape to an elongated Blueberry about 1 inch long. The skin of a Haskap is a dark blue, but with an intense crimson flesh. It has very small, almost imperceptible seeds. The juice of the berry has a naturally high brix factor (natural sugar content) and colours almost anything it is combined with to a dark burgundy. The taste of the haskap berry is unique and has been compared to a combination of Blueberry and Raspberry with a hint of Elderberry.

 

They are dark blue in colour, oval or cylindrical in shape and about one inch in length. The Russian varieties tend in general to be longer and larger than the Japanese ones.

 

Its taste is likened to a ‘Zingy’ combination of Blueberry and Raspberry with a hint of Elderberry.

 

Find out more by visiting www.haskapa.com.