Everything you need to know about Saskatoon Berries
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If you grew up in the Prairies, it’s likely you’ve already heard of Saskatoon Berries–a sweet, earthy berry often used in beer, wine, and desserts.
However, did you know that the city of Saskatoon is named after these berries?
Read further to discover more about Saskatoon berries, the incredible health benefits associated with them, and how you can incorporate them into your own life!
What are Saskatoon berries?
Saskatoon berries are a type of edible fruit harvested from wild shrubs, native to the Canadian Prairies, British Columbia, and other locations in North America. Though they resemble blueberries, they have a distinctive sweet, nutty taste, and are in fact related more closely to apples. They are wildly popular across Canada, and are known by many different names, such as serviceberries, prairie berries, or juneberries.
Saskatoon name comes from the Cree language word “misâskwatômina”– which means “The fruit of the tree of many branches”. The city of Saskatoon was named after this due to the historic mass abundance of the fruit found there. The berries ripen in late June or early July, but can be frozen and are thus available to buy year-round. Just like apples or avocados, they continue to ripen after being picked.
Health Benefits
Saskatoon berries have come to be known as a superfood, in part due to their antioxidant level, higher than even blueberries or goji berries. This means that consumption of the berries could be protective against brain damage stemming from oxidative stress. They are also a fantastic source of vitamins and minerals such as vitamin C, magnesium, calcium, and potassium, among others.
Traditionally, they were used by Indigenous people for healing purposes. For example, treatment for liver disease or as a mild laxative. They were also used in pemmican, an important dish of dried meats that these berries helped flavour and preserve. Along with these benefits, the berries are suspected to aid in prevention of cancer, heart disease, chronic inflammation, and UTIs.
What food recipes can be prepared from this superfood?
Saskatoon berries are most commonly used in pies, tarts, muffins, wine, or simply on their own! They can also be incorporated into ice cream, smoothies, or pancakes. The options for including these marvellous berries in your life are endless, and doing so could improve not only your desserts, but your health too!
About The Lavva Kitchen & Bar
The Lavva Kitchen & Bar is a premium resto pub located in the city of Saskatoon. Located on Broadway Avenue, we combine a comfortable family environment with modern appeal & boast an unmatched calibre of food, drinks and desserts.
Whether you’re seeking appetizers, exotic bowls, or a mouth-watering burger, you will be completely satisfied when you are at the Lavva.
Check out more about us here: Lavva Kitchen & Bar, one of the best restaurants in Saskatoon.
Originally published at https://thelavvabar.com on September 2, 2020.
