Don’t mistake it for a blueberry, not because it is poisonous and therefore dangerous but because you would do it an injustice given its generous properties combined with a competitive price. We are talking about black chokeberry . If you have never tried it, look for it and do it because it is worth it.
Aronia plant
The scientific name of this plant is Aronia elanocarpa, it belongs to the Rosaceae family and produces fruits very similar to blueberries but which for some strange reason are much less famous.
Originally from North America, aronia has long been present in Europe. Today it is grown mainly in Eastern countries and is considered a medicinal plant due to the important physical benefits that can be obtained from it.
Aronia has the shape of a bush or shrub, it never becomes a tree and does not exceed two meters in height . It produces red buds while the leaves are green, medium-sized and oval-shaped. Only in autumn do they turn red and the shrub becomes a real spectacle, a red and orange shape, the colors of fire. Towards mid-spring the flowers appear announcing the arrival of the fruits. They are collected in neat bunches in groups of about 2 0 and last a very short time open, less than a week and then they are already ruined. In summer there are fruits that are always in bunches, black, like blueberries, perhaps slightly larger. They ripen in summer, three months after the appearance of the flowers.
To obtain a good harvest we must put this plant at ease, in cold environments, even very cold, since the heat slows its growth and hinders its flowering. When very hot summers arrive it can only survive if there are thunderstorms every now and then that cool the air. A climate like this is exactly what the aronia finds in Eastern Europe , its favorite habitat on this side of the ocean.
The most suitable soils for growing this plant are humid ones, better to avoid arid ones, they must not be overly treated but compact, it does not matter if they have a low salt content but better if located in a cold climate even up to minus 30 * C. Even the flowers resist frost well, even if sudden in the middle of the warm spring.
As a plant it does not need much attention from us, it does it by itself. If we want and if it is needed in terms of size, in autumn we can prune it a little while fertilizing it can be avoided because it grows by itself when it is time. Another fantastic piece of news is that this plant can be grown without using fungicides because it is almost never attacked by parasites.
Characteristics of Aronia
The fruits of the chokeberry are very precious and are used to produce various food products such as juices and syrups but also jams , and then they are consumed dried, natural. It is rare to see them consumed fresh because these fruits have a tannic taste and therefore acidic but the flavor is intense and liked by many. It is small and black, to avoid it having a too acidic flavor it is sometimes frozen.
Properties of Aronia
Aronia berries, which few people know about, are a real source of health. Compared to other fruits such as black grapes, aronia contains a very high quantity of anthocyanins : 800 milligrams per 100 grams of fresh fruit. These substances are very important for the prevention of various cardiovascular diseases but also limit damage from oxidative stress. These small fruits contain many precious nutrients, let’s see some of them:
- Antioxidants , useful for fighting premature cellular aging. Berries contain polyphenols, flavonoids and especially anthocyanins , which is why they are in the top 5 of anti-premature aging foods
- Vitamin C. In 100 grams of berries we find a third of our daily requirement. It is a notable contribution for a vitamin that has many benefits. It helps strengthen bones, is good for the skin and collagen, and helps us fight colds.
- Vitamin K , very important for blood clotting and against calcification of the arteries . Thanks to this vitamin, berries keep cholesterol levels low and blood pressure under control. They help prevent atherosclerosis but at the same time can create problems for those taking anticoagulant drugs.
- Quinic acid , in abundance, which serves to purify the urinary tract and prevent infections.
- Iron , aronia is very rich in it, so much so that if we eat a pound of it we are practically already satisfied with our daily requirement. Remember that iron must be consumed because we are not able to produce it ourselves but we need it a lot for cell oxygenation.
- Potassium . Another mineral salt that is abundant in these small fruits and that is used to ensure good functioning of the cardiovascular system . It reduces cardiovascular pressure by relaxing blood vessels and arteries.
- Fibers . They are rich in them and this makes aronia a fruit recommended for those who suffer from diabetes and those who want to prevent it because it improves insulin regulation. Fibers are also very useful for intestinal regularity and good digestion.
In addition to these proven properties, there are others that are being studied. Among all the ongoing investigations are also those on the antitumor capabilities. The hope is that the high anthocyanin content can have preventive effects on the development of some types of tumors and, in particular, colon cancer.
While waiting for good news, we can use aronia as an anti-stress substance in the form of a drink, recommended in conditions of burn out or heavy workload to have a mental and cognitive charge, to improve psycho-physical efficiency. At the same time we also have positive effects on the skin, gums and capillaries.
