Aronia berries are being planted by the thousands on farms all over Iowa and neighboring states, according to Dr. Eldon Everhart, Iowa Stae University Horticulture Specialist. “Interest in eating healthy has led to the phenomenal worldwide growth in the popularity of aronia berries and products made from them,” said Everhart.
Everhart says aronia berries can be used in baked goods, jams and jellies, or any other way that berries are used. The berries are also used to make a dry wine or to blend with other wines. Everhart also notes that aronia berry ice cream is the top selling ice cream in Poland.
Aronia is the new “superfood” in town, according to a recent article in the Wall Street Journal. The aronia berry is considered to be three times healthier than a blueberry. It is also higher in antioxidants than cranberries, elderberries, red grapes, and all of the other commonly grown berry crops. Medical research has shown that antioxidants help reduce the risk for cancer, heart disease, and diabetes in humans.
Aronia has been widely grown in Eastern Europe as a commercial berry crop since the 1950s. It is native to the United States, has no serious pests, is well-adapted to Iowa, and easy to grow organically. The plants thrive in full sun on several soil types, even on highly erodible land. According to Everhart, the berries are ripe in the fall and may be picked by hand or with a mechanical harvester.
Everhart predicts that the berry’s popularity will continue to skyrocket. “Within the next 15 years or less, major crops grown in Iowa won’t just be corn and beans,” according to Everhart. “They will be corn, beans, and aronia berries!” Aronia plants are “grower friendly” and are easy to grow organically. Birds don’t bother them nor do deer and other critters. They have no insect or disease pests and they do not need to be pruned or trained like grapes.
In addition, Aronia plants are outstanding plants in home and commercial landscapes. They are covered by white flowers in the spring, have dark green leaves in summer followed by brilliant orange-red fall color. The dark purple or black fruit persists well into the winter until songbirds finally eat them. What more could you ask for?
You can learn more about aronia berries from Everhart by attending his presentation at the All-Iowa Horticulture Exposition on April 3 at the Bridge View Conference Center in Ottumwa. You can find out more information about the Exposition online.
ee/bmr
4/5/2009