Chokeberries, Fruit
Chokeberries are the fruits of three species of deciduous shrubs in genus Aronia of family Rosaceae. They are native to eastern North America, and are found growing in wet woods and swamps. Red chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia syn Photinia pyrifolia) and black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa syn. Photinia melanocarpa) are two well-known species, named after their colors. Another species, purple chokeberry (Aronia prunifolia syn. Photinia floribunda), is a natural hyrbrid of the red and black chokeberries. Chokeberries are usually planted as ornamental plants in gardens, and grow well when planted under trees. The name 'chokeberry' is derived from the astringency of the fruits which are inedible when raw. Chokeberry trees produce numerous small berries, about 1 cm in diameter, with thick, pigmented skin. Black chokecherry has deep purple, almost black pigmentation that arises from dense contents of phenolic phytochemicals, especially anthocyanins and proanthocyanidin. The pigments are produced mainly in the skin of the berries, to protect the pulp and seeds from the contant exposure to ultraviolet radiation. The pigment absorbs UV rays in the blue-purple spectrum and filtering intense sunlight. The bright and colorful pigmentation also attract birds and other animal to consume the berries and disperse the seeds in their droppings, thus help in propagation of the species. The berries are low in calories and fats but are rich source of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and dietary fiber. They are used to make wine, jam, juice, syrup, soft spread, tea and tinctures. Chokeberry juice is not sweet and astringent, but it is packed with vitamin C and antioxidants. The red chokeberry's fruit has a sweeter flavor than the black chokeberry, more palatable and can be eaten raw, and is used to make jam and pemmican (a concentrated mixture of fat and protein used as a nutritious food). The rich antioxidant content of chokeberries may reducing the risk of diseases caused by oxidative stress, and also prevents colorectal cancer, cardiovascular disease, chronic inflammation, gastric mucosal disorders such as peptic ulcer, eye inflammation or uveitis, and liver failure.  Black chokeberries on a shurb in a garden in Germany Author: MiraculixHB (public domain) | ||
|
