Surely you’re familiar with Michigan’s most popular berries like raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, and such – but what about Saskatoon berries? You may also know them as serviceberries or juneberries if you’ve been out foraging for them. These tasty little gems look a bit like a blueberry but are totally their own. They are becoming more popular throughout the state and offer their own unique flavor.
What Do Saskatoon Berries Taste Like?
The flavor of Saskatoon berries is nutty and sweet with an almond-like flavor that can’t be found in any of Michigan’s other berries. You’ll just have to taste it for yourself. Even better? Saskatoon berries are packed with antioxidants and are often considered a superfood for their high concentration of a variety of different nutrients.
If those aren’t great reasons to seek out this special berry, we don’t know what is!
How to Eat Saskatoon Berries
Ask yourself what your favorite way to eat most berries is and it’s sure to be a great option for saskatoons as well. Whether you love to just much them by the handful, freeze them for making thick smoothies, or cook them into jam, jelly, pie, or other baked goods – saskatoons are a flexible berry with plenty of options for eating.
As these berries are most similar to blueberries, a great option is to make a one-to-one swap for them in any recipe that calls for blueberries.
With edible seeds and juicy flesh, saskatoon berries require no processing other than a quick wash to ensure they’re clean before tossing a handful in your mouth.
Foraging Saskatoon Berries
Wild Saskatoon berries are more commonly referred to as juneberries or serviceberries but can be found in most places throughout Michigan if you know where to look. Their iconic white flowers bloom before most other bushes in the wild, so keep an eye out on your adventures for their small white blossoms when other trees are just starting to bud. Make a note of their location and return in mid-June. Even a bright pink serviceberry will be tasty, but the sweetest, ripest ones are deep purple/blue. Are you ready to taste this unique fruit? Find Saskatoon Berries for sale in Michigan
Further Reading
Christina Marbury is the Marketing Director at Taste the Local Difference. You may contact her via email at [email protected].