Plow Maker Farms

 

Saskatoons

Saskatoon is a tasty native berry that has higher levels of antioxidants when compared with blueberries, strawberries and raspberries (Heinonen 1998).

These delicious native purplish-blue berries grow naturally on our farm. The trees reach 20-25 feet tall and are covered with clusters of berries in late summer.

Saskatoons (Amelanchier alnifolia Nutt.) are very nutritious. They have high concentrations of antioxidants such as phenolics, flavonols and anthocyanins (Juríková et al. 21013).

About 3/4 cup of Saskatoons contains 6 grams of fiber (24% of your daily requirement). Now that is a lot tastier than scarfing down a bran muffin.

Native Americans used the Saskatoon as food and medicine. The tasty berries were eaten fresh, mashed and dried into a 'berry brick' for later, or mixed with meat and dried to make pemmican.

The name saskatoon is derived from the Cree word for the berries, "Mis-sask-quah-too-mina", which sounds similar to "Saskatoon". The original Cree name means "the fruit of the tree of many branches".

Even though Saskatoons are called a berry they are actually a fruit. These little blue balls are a member of the Rosacea family.

Some common names for Saskatoons include Service Berry, Western Serviceberry, Juneberry, Western Juneberry, Dwarf Shadbush, Alder-leaf Shadbush, and Sugar Pear.

References:

• Heinonen IM, Lehtonen PJ, Hopia AI. Antioxidant activity of berry and fruit wines and liquors. J Agric Food Chem. 1998, 46, 25–31. Pubmed.
• Juríková T, Balla S, Sochor J, Pohanka M, Mlcek J, Baron M. Flavonoid profile of Saskatoon berries (Amelanchier alnifolia Nutt.) and their health promoting effects. Molecules. 2013;18:12571-86. Pubmed. doi: 10.3390/molecules181012571.