tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8823227541112032576.post2176350157356057655..comments2023-10-25T02:07:09.084-07:00Comments on Aronia in America: What do aronia berries taste like?*************************http://www.blogger.com/profile/00846590682452363508noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8823227541112032576.post-36137289369214242782020-01-13T10:04:22.352-08:002020-01-13T10:04:22.352-08:00The sweetness of aronia berries depends more on ot...The sweetness of aronia berries depends more on other factors than it does on the aronia cultivar that you grow. There is probably little if any difference in sugar content of berries from different cultivars when compared in side-by-side trials and harvested at maximum sugar content for each cultivar.<br /><br />However, the sweetest of aronia berries will vary from one location to another and from one year to the next. In addition, as the berries dry out, the sugar content will become more concentrated. Maximum sweetness occurs late in the ripening process. So, sweetness also depends on when you harvest the berries.<br /><br />Tasting the berries can give you an idea about how sweet the berries are at a specific time. However, the acidity and the astringency of the berries can bias your judgement. Astringency is the mouth puckering sensation that we usually associate with dry wines. Aronia berries are highly astringent.<br /><br />A refractometer gives a better estimate of sugar content than taste alone. A hand-held refractometer is a simple instrument used for measuring the sugar concentration of the berries. It is easy to use and sell for about $15 to $25 on Amazon.*************************https://www.blogger.com/profile/00846590682452363508noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8823227541112032576.post-60513774661657826532020-01-12T18:36:27.610-08:002020-01-12T18:36:27.610-08:00Any idea which variety of Aronia is sweeter? One Y...Any idea which variety of Aronia is sweeter? One You Tuber said "Raintree Select" but I'm not sure where the video was taken,,, your opinion about which please? I live in Georgia.USAAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08933998550838746314noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8823227541112032576.post-82639768212823015172018-08-07T18:34:27.733-07:002018-08-07T18:34:27.733-07:00One of my aronia bushes fruited for the first time...One of my aronia bushes fruited for the first time this year, and the berries have turned dark. I have been eating one or two every few days to see how the taste evolves. Your explanation is very helpful and I am trying to keep an open mind on this. So far we haven't had any trouble with birds eating the berries, so I may take the remaining berries and freeze and/or steam them to see how the taste evolves, or I might start luring some local wineries to try making an aronia blend with my berries. Thanks for a nicely done blog.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14377171997217423656noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8823227541112032576.post-46007802727077921002013-11-06T07:53:03.509-08:002013-11-06T07:53:03.509-08:00Several of the ads on this blog and on our website...Several of the ads on this blog and on our website sell aronia plants or aronia seeds. Please click on the ads to find out more or to purchase aronia plants or aronia seeds. A list of mail-order nurseries that sell aronia plants is included in the post entitled, “Aronia plants for sale.” Local nurseries in your area may also sell aronia plants.<br /><br />The maximum height of a mature aronia plant can vary from only a few feet tall to 12 feet or more with a similar width. Height and width of aronia plants depends on which cultivar you plant, your local growing conditions, and management practices. For example, ‘Viking’ aronia will grow 10 to 12 feet tall without pruning when planted in a good location with good growing conditions. ‘Professor Ed’ aronia is a dwarf cultivar and will be a much smaller plant at maturity.<br />Dr. Eldon Everharthttp://www.hortconsulting.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8823227541112032576.post-80774903194572532852013-11-05T21:12:49.676-08:002013-11-05T21:12:49.676-08:00Where can one purchase a couple plants of the aron...Where can one purchase a couple plants of the aronia berry? What is the maximum growth height and width of the berry bush?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8823227541112032576.post-21364811466958070582013-08-29T20:00:30.197-07:002013-08-29T20:00:30.197-07:00Yvona,
Heating, freezing, freeze-drying, sun dryi...Yvona,<br /><br />Heating, freezing, freeze-drying, sun drying, or oven drying aronia fruit will reduce the astringency. The reason for this is not thoroughly understood but is generally attributed at least in part to the dilution of the polyphenolics in the fruit and/or polymerization of the tannin.<br /><br />EldonDr. Eldon Everharthttp://www.hortconsulting.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8823227541112032576.post-40811186913622091272013-08-29T17:56:24.833-07:002013-08-29T17:56:24.833-07:00Do you have suggestions for taming the astringency...Do you have suggestions for taming the astringency in aronia? Yvonahttp://www.wordsaremyworld.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8823227541112032576.post-8478762955660911982013-08-21T11:04:25.479-07:002013-08-21T11:04:25.479-07:00Brix is the standard unit of measurement for sugar...Brix is the standard unit of measurement for sugar content of an aqueous solution such as fruit juice. Sugar content of aronia berries will increase as the berries ripen and will continue to increase even after the berries reach their maximum anthocyanins (purple pigment) content.<br /><br />The answer to the question “What should the Brix number be before picking aronia berries?” depends on the intended use of the berries.<br /><br />If the berries are to be consumed primarily for their reputed health benefits, then I recommend harvesting the berries when 95 percent of them are dark purple. If left on the bush longer the sugar content will continue to increase but the berries may begin to dry out and lose weight. If you are selling the berries by the pound or by the ton, then weight loss is not good.<br /><br />If you are primarily interested in eating the berries fresh or making wine, juice, or jelly from them, then wait until the Brix are 16 to 20 or greater. Aronia berries can be as sweet as the sweetest table grapes.<br /><br />For wine making, the optimal maturity depends on the acid level as well as the sugar content. As aronia berries ripen, sugar levels rise and acid levels fall.<br /><br />Also, the sugar content of aronia berries will vary from year to year and from one site to another. So there is no single best answer to the question, “What should the Brix number be before picking aronia berries?”<br />Dr. Eldon Everharthttp://www.hortconsulting.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8823227541112032576.post-6536968703617955402013-08-21T08:28:49.782-07:002013-08-21T08:28:49.782-07:00What should the Brix number be before picking aron...What should the Brix number be before picking aronia berries?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8823227541112032576.post-32225054301554757802013-08-17T14:01:00.775-07:002013-08-17T14:01:00.775-07:00Thanks so much!!Thanks so much!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8823227541112032576.post-22633158807514169692013-08-16T13:16:20.454-07:002013-08-16T13:16:20.454-07:00I recommend harvesting aronia berries when about 9...I recommend harvesting aronia berries when about 95 percent of the berries are dark purple. The best reason for harvesting aronia berries as early as possible is because of the potential threat of birds.<br /><br />A flock of birds can fly in and consume all or most of the berries in a day or two. I have seen that happen only once but that was enough to cause me to recommend harvesting aronia berries as early as possible. Also, birds are more apt to eat aronia berries that are sweeter.<br /><br />Allowing the fruit to develop their maximum anthocyanins (dark purple pigment) content is more important than waiting until they develop higher sugar content. The only exception might be if you intend to make wine or juice from the berries.<br /><br />Freezing the berries before processing, releases more juice. You can use either steam extraction of the juice and you can crush and press the berries like you would do with grapes or apples. Steaming aronia berries to extract the juice can yield about 2 cups of juice per pound of berries. Pressing the berries without steaming will probably not produce as much juice. But the amount will vary depending how dry or juicy the berries are at the time of processing.<br /><br />If you are going to make wine, then you will want to monitor the sugar content with a handheld refractometer. With these meters you can easily measure the brix of the aronia fruit in the field. You only need to squeeze 2 or 3 drops of juice on the meter’s plate. You will need a squirt bottle of distilled water to wash off the plate between measurements. You can purchase handheld refractometer on Amazon.<br />http://www.amazon.com/home-improvement/dp/B00AILFYQ6<br />http://www.amazon.com/Refractometer-RF15-Automatic-Temperature-Compensation/dp/B003H7ILCW/ref=pd_sim_sbs_hi_5<br />http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Handheld+Refractometer+fruit&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3AHandheld+Refractometer+fruit<br /><br />Here is a good video about how to calibrate and use a handheld refractometer.<br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wm24DLhu3gs<br /><br />You can extend the shelf life of aronia berries by refrigerating them. I suspect they will last several weeks longer. If you freeze them, I know from experience that they will keep for several years!<br />Dr. Eldon Everharthttp://www.hortconsulting.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8823227541112032576.post-79223734634722009822013-08-16T12:17:22.917-07:002013-08-16T12:17:22.917-07:00wondering how to tell when the aronia berries are ...wondering how to tell when the aronia berries are ripe? Thanks!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8823227541112032576.post-41253027382368400872013-08-14T16:39:29.679-07:002013-08-14T16:39:29.679-07:00I planted two aronia bushes last year in the garde...I planted two aronia bushes last year in the garden ('Viking' and 'Autumn Magic' varieties). <br /><br />I'm not too chicken to eat them!<br /><br />I have an open mind!!<br /><br />I plan on freezing the berries in the next couple of days and blending them in the VitamMix throughout the year like I do the blackcurrants (with a little sugar and water).<br /><br />Thanks for the interesting article.<br /><br />-MarieMarie deHaanhttp://www.cancerisafunnything.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8823227541112032576.post-70158105011918002832011-09-28T15:48:15.236-07:002011-09-28T15:48:15.236-07:00Very interesting. (& fun to read, too.) I migh...Very interesting. (& fun to read, too.) I might try planting aronia.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com