Fuchsias in full bloom are a wonderful feast for the eyes - but did you know that the ripe berries of this nightshade plant are also edible?
Are fuchsias poisonous or edible?
Are fuchsias poisonous? No, fuchsias are not poisonous. Both its showy flowers and the fuchsia plant's ripe berries are edible. The berries can be made into jam or jelly, and the flowers can be dipped in egg whites and sugar and baked.
Fuchsias are not poisonous
Due to its striking, colorful flowers, many gardeners suspect that the exotic evening primrose fuchsia (fuchsia) is poisonous. The opposite is the case, because the mostly dark, juicy berries can even be processed into jam or jelly - these are well-known processing options in Great Britain and Ireland, where fuchsias often thrive due to the mild winter climate. As is the fuchsia cake, which is sometimes served with Five O'Clock tea. But if you want to look for recipes now: The English understand “fuchsia cake” not only as cakes with fuchsia berries, but also cakes and tarts decorated in fuchsia colors - these are particularly popular at weddings and other celebrations.
Which fuchsia berries are tasty
Depending on the type and variety of fuchsia plant, the berries can vary greatly in size, shape and color. Ripe fruits are tender and juicy and usually about one and a half to two centimeters long, reddish brown to black or blue-black. Pick them when they are soft and mushy - that's when they taste best. However, not all varieties are equally tasty. Species and varieties with good taste are:
- Fuchsia magellanica (especially the varieties “Globosa” and “Tresco”)
- Fuchsia corymbifolia
- Fuchsia excorticata
- Fuchsia procumbens
- Fuchsia splendens (especially the variety “Karl Hartweg”)
- Fuchsia venusta.
Basically, dark fruits are more aromatic than light ones. Unless you own an entire fuchsia hedge, it usually takes a long time to collect enough berries for jam or a cake. However, you can also collect the fruit gradually and freeze it in the meantime.
Tip
By the way, not only the berries but also the flowers are edible, so you can dip them in egg white and sugar and bake them briefly. But be careful: too many fuchsia berries can cause stomach pain and nausea.
