Berry Exciting: 9 Amazing Fun Facts About Berries You Never Knew!

1. Strawberry Tree Fruit: The Raw Joke

Don't judge a berry by its cover, or its name in some cases, because mother nature can be quite the prankster: Strawberry tree fruits, contrary to what their name suggests, are actually rather bland in their raw state, but fear not as they find their true calling when transformed into sumptuous jams, jellies, and even a fiery Portuguese spirit called medronho.
Source => thespruce.com

2. Black Raspberry: The Mighty Antioxidant

Move over, superheroes: there's a new berry in town, donning a cape of luscious black hues and packed with powers that could give the Avengers a run for their money! It's none other than the mighty black raspberry: a delectable treat bursting with antioxidant-rich polyphenols, such as ellagitannins, anthocyanins, and phenolic acids that protect our cells from free radical damage and can help fight chronic illnesses like cancer. Studies indicate that black raspberry powder might reduce the spread of colon cancer cells and show anti-inflammatory effects in those with Barrett's esophagus – but hold the berries, as these benefits come from highly concentrated forms of black raspberry extract or powder!
Source => healthline.com

Did you know there's a rare strawberry variety that tastes like pineapple? Meet the Pineberry, a white, speckled fruit with a unique flavor that'll leave you craving for more! 🍓🍍

=> Fun Facts about Strawberries

3. Blueberries: Skin's Youthful Elixir

Blueberries, nature's version of a youthful elixir à la Ponce de León – for your skin, at the very least: Consuming 1 cup of blueberries daily supports healthy skin by enhancing your body's ability to send nutrients and oxygen to skin cells, promoting efficient cell turnover, and providing a good dose of fiber, vitamins C and K, and antioxidants.
Source => healthline.com

4. Stinky Black Currant: Europe's Vitamin C Superhero

Behold, the ever-so-stinky black currant: secret superhero of European juicing trends! As its secret identity, this unassuming berry is packing a serious Vitamin C punch – dishing out a whopping 250 milligrams per 100 grams of juice, even after 6 months in storage. No wonder the Europeans adore this stinky gem!
Source => ag.umass.edu

5. Boysenberry: The Fruitful Collaboration

In a plot twist berry-wood couldn't have invented, Walter Knott decided to team up with some fruity characters for a tasty collaboration: the result was the boysenberry, a scrumptious 1930s superhero of a berry that's a mix between the loganberry and dewberry, with a supporting cast of European raspberry and blackberry ancestry, making it a thornless and effortlessly farm-to-table treat.
Source => rootsplants.co.uk

6. Wineberry Blueberry Jam: The Limited Edition Duo

In a jam-tastic crossover event that could rival the most ambitious comic book series, blueberries have teamed up with an unexpected hero, the wineberries, to treat taste buds to a summer special: Behold the Wineberry Blueberry Jam! This limited edition condiment combines the assertive taste and deep color of New Jersey blueberries with the milder taste and lighter color of Scravel Creek wineberries, resulting in a perfectly balanced flavor experience that only gets better with some refrigerator time. Act fast and let the creators know if it tickles your fancy, and this jam-tastic sequel may make a comeback next summer!
Source => scravelcreekfarm.com

7. Lingonberries: Heart-Healthy Groovy Superstars

If lingonberries were to make a LinkedIn profile, they'd surely brand themselves as tiny, tart, superfood headliners with an antioxidant playlist so groovy, it may cure your heart's blues: These zesty natives of Canada are packed with anthocyanins, dietary fiber, vitamin C, polyphenols, and omega-3 fatty acids, which all work together to reduce heart disease risk, promote kidney function, and dance away the cholesterol oxidation. Health aficionados, get ready to make your heart-protective lingonberry jams and hit the Canadian wild harvest market, because these northern berries are ripe for the picking!
Source => agriculture.canada.ca

8. Nannyberry: Move Over Banana-Prune Smoothie

Move over, banana-prune smoothie: The nannyberry, also known as wild raisin, boasts a scrumptiously sweet and tart flavor that harks back to resourceful Native Americans and early settlers. Often harvested in mid-October, this highly productive berry ripens to a deep black hue and can be used in purees and fruit leather or simply savored straight off the bush.
Source => wisconsinfoodforests.com

9. Elderberries: Immortality with a Cyanide Twist

Mother Nature's secret potion of immortality comes with a cyanide twist! Elderberries, nature's notorious pranksters, are luring us in with their magical medicinal benefits – only to reveal their dark, poisonous truth: Raw elderberries contain cyanide-inducing glycoside in their seeds, which can be harmful if consumed. Fear not, for cooking them sets free the toxin and renders them safe to eat, unlocking a world of syrup, pie, vinegar, tonics, tea, and wine. Just remember to play by the rules and cook them or toss out those treacherous seeds before feasting!
Source => elderberryedgefarm.com