The fruits of the barberry are not only attractive in color. You can also harvest them and process them for culinary purposes. However, you should definitely pay attention to the following things.
What can I use barberry fruit for?
The fruits of the common barberry are edible but very sour. You can makejuice from it, jelly orjam Drying the fruit is also possible. Properly processed, the fruits offer you lots of vitamin C and a he althy diet.
Are the fruits of barberry poisonous?
The pulp itself is not poisonous, but theseedsof the barberry containharmful substances. Therefore, when processing, you must ensure that you do not use the seeds of the plant. Most other parts of the barberry plant also contain toxic substances. Among other things, these pollutants can be found in it:
- Berberine
- Magnoflorin
- Berbamin
You should also only get your harvest from the common barberry (Berberis vulgaris) and not from other types of barberry. This is the variety that is native to Germany and Europe.
Can you eat the fruits of barberry raw?
The fruits of the barberry are alsoedible raw However, since they taste extremely sour, they are rarely eaten raw. It is no coincidence that barberry is also known as sour thorn or vinegar berry. Processing with the addition of sugar takes away the sour taste of the fruit. Dried barberry fruits are also no longer so acidic.
When can barberry fruits be harvested?
You can harvest the fruits of barberry fromend of August until the beginning of winter. The red fruits remain on the bush even in frost. You therefore benefit from a long harvest period for barberries. However, they are also very popular with birds. If you wait too long, there may not be as many fruits left on the bush.
Do the fruits of barberry have any healing properties?
Barberry fruits can helpagainst digestive problems. A healing effect is primarily attributed to the root bark of the barberry bush and the leaves of the plant. To avoid contact with toxic substances, you should only use the leaves externally and use industrially produced preparations for the root bark.
Tip
The fruits of the barberry are also visually appealing
When the red fruits of the barberry hang on the bush, the bush achieves a special effect over the winter. The sour thorn is therefore very popular both as a hedge and in a pot.
