(KIWA Staff Photo)
Statewide, Iowa – A type of berry that’s considered a “superfood” for its potential health benefits is being tested on plots in Iowa to see how it adapts to our soil and climate, though it grows wild in parts of Canada.
Honeyberries are also known as honeysuckle berries, or haskaps. Randall Vos, a horticulture fruit crops field specialist at the Iowa State University Extension, says new varieties of purple-blue honeyberries are being developed that are very promising.
Some Iowa garden centers are carrying honeyberry bushes now, and you might spot the berries at a farmers market, but not at big grocery chains.
Honeyberries are gaining recognition as an up-and-coming “superfood” and they’re generating a buzz among some growers and consumers.
Honeyberries can be consumed in a variety of ways — just popped in your mouth as a snack, as a side dish, on your breakfast cereal, or baked into pies.
The ISU Horticulture Research Station in Ames is hosting a free field day on honeyberries, and other fruit and vegetable crops, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on July 29th. Registration is requested by July 24th to help plan for a free meal following the field day.
