FOOD & DRINK
Have You Heard? Haskap Berries Are Trendy!
By Jackie Herbert Photos Jonathan Farber
H askap is an ancient Ainu name which translates to “berry of long life and good vision.” They are an excellent source of Vitamins C and A and potassium; they are high in fibre and produce three times as many antioxidants as blueberries, which help with overall digestion and promote a healthy immune system. Haskap berries are the new superfood! Haskap is also widely known to protect against inflammation, and several chronic diseases. These super-berries are believed to benefit conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease, heart disease, cancer, stroke, arthritis, even cataracts. Healthy and delicious! The native version of haskap are better known as honeysuckle which grows wild throughout bogs and wooded areas of Canada. However, not all honeysuckle are created equally. Most are undesirable in taste,
therefore haskap berries are a type of edible honeysuckle that have been commercially cultivated for flavour and are relatively new to PEI. These bush-like plants grow to be four to six feet tall and approximately four feet around. And, depending on space, they can be grown in a row or spaced between bushes. They produce juicy berries relatively young, are cold climate friendly and are easy to care for. Netting is often used to keep birds away as they can destroy a bush in a very short time. With so many culinary uses, these fruit plants are a great option for the backyard Island gardener. For commercial growers, it’s not often farmers have the chance at growing a brand-new crop on their land. A chance like this may only come but once in a lifetime. For some farmers, like Lynn Townsend and her daughter Becky, they “wouldn’t give up an opportunity to be
▲ Jackie Herbert Food & Drink Editor jherbert@pei-living.ca
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www.pei-living.ca SUMMER 2020
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