Saskatoon Berries (aka. Serviceberry; Amelanchier alnifolia) is a lesser-known blue berry native to North America, but with twice the antioxidant capacity of Blueberries (Vaccinium spp.).
Actually, the Saskatoon is not a berry but a pome, botanically speaking, as it is from the Rose family. Because of this, one of its many benefits is how it maintains its structure after cooking.
This berry is close to my heart as it brings me back to childhood days of picking Saskatoons with my grandma in the Prairies of Saskatchewan, and then enjoying her uber-delicious Saskatoon Berry pies. So, I can really appreciate the deliciousness of a berry-like pome!
As they are found in their native range as far north as the Yukon, you might imagine they can handle some cold temperatures, in fact, down to -60 degrees C. Coincidently, an infusion of the inner-bark is used by Native Americans for snow-blindness (yes, that is a thing in Canada 😳 ). To my surprise and delight, my baby Saskatoon Berry shrub just produced these beautiful berries in my very mild climate of the California Central Coast.
The Saskatoon has a long history of use as food, medicine and other uses by the Native Americans, who used every part of the bush. Now having an expanded market, Saskatoons are enjoyed raw or cooked in preserves, pies, wines, beers, trail mixes, etc.
Saskatoons are one of the key ingredients of pemmican, a dried meat and berry mixture of Native Americans. The leaves of the Saskatoon bush have also been used as a tea substitute, the young branches twisted to make rope and for basket making, and the older wood used for making implements. A berry preparation has been used as a laxative, for digestive complaints, and externally for ear and eye drops. A decoction of the roots also used for colds. A tea made from the leaves has been used for balancing blood sugar and promoting heart health. Other uses have been for aiding in afterbirth and birth control. Through scientific investigation, the Sasktaoon has been found to exhibit antioxidant, antifungal, antiviral, antitumor, anti-hyperglycemic, anti-obesity and cardioprotective activities.
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**This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of such advice or treatment from a personal physician.