Berry Basics

Saskatoons Taste Great

They do, but what do they taste like exactly?  Here's the skinny:  Saskatoons are a member of the Rose family and related to the apple, mountain ash and hawthorn.  They are often compared to a blueberry due to appearance and nutritional composition yet it would be more accurate to think of them as a tiny apple.  Like an apple, saskatoons have seeds.  Unlike an apple, these seeds are eaten along with the rest of the fruit providing three things....crunch, a higher level of fiber than many other fruits, and a subtle almond flavor.  The skin and flesh of the saskatoon is firmer than many other berry fruits causing the saskatoon to retian its shape when cooked.  The juice of the saskatoon is somewhere between a blackberry, elderberry and blueberry, but guess what?  It tastes just like a saskatoon.  In short, it's sweet and good for you. 

Antioxidant Properties

The National Cancer Institute defines antioxidants as substances that may protect cells from the damage caused by unstable elements known as free radicals. Antioxidants have been found to interact with and stabilize free radicals preventing some of the damage free radicals might otherwise cause, reducing the risk of cancer, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s and combating obesity.

Blueberries have long been considered a “super food” because of their high antioxidant profile. Saskatoons top the blueberry in antioxidant properties, contain important nutrients such iron and protein missing in many other berries, and are lower in fat. For more information on antioxidant and other nutritional values check out this site: http://www.prairieberries.com/nutrition.php

Nutrient Comparison of Fruit