Aronia berries (aronia melanocarpa, sometimes called the black chokeberry) are small, dark berries similar in size to blueberries. They’re becoming very popular in the world of superfoods and among those who care about their health due to their high antioxidant content, and the health benefits provided. They’re grown in North America and are available in various forms. But if you’ve not tried the Aronia berry frozen, you are in for a treat.
The chokeberry is also known as Aronia berries.
Why Try the Aronia Berry Frozen?
You can buy aronia berries fresh, frozen, or freeze-dried. However, buying them fresh limits their lifespan, so buying frozen aronia berries or freeze-dried powdered berries is often easier. That way, you can order online, and you’ll get all the benefits of the vitamins and minerals of the aronia berries without worrying about them rotting. Even better if you choose a web site offering free shipping too!
The long-term storage options of frozen aronia berries mean you can buy a larger packet and use them however you want. In addition, because the berries are frozen individually before they’re packaged together, they will typically be easy to portion up from the frozen bag.
If you keep them frozen, aronia berries in the freezer should stay good for up to 8 months, though they may last longer. However, once defrosted, you should avoid re-freezing them as they will lose nutritional benefit, and the crystallization process of re-freezing them will spoil the fruit.
Health Benefits of Frozen Aronia Berries
Aronia berries are packed with antioxidants, helping to defend your cells from the damage that free radicals can cause. In particular, Aronia berries are high in polyphenols, a group that includes phenolic acids, flavonols, and anthocyanins, which can all help prevent heart disease.
Some studies also show that the anthocyanins in aronia berries can help prevent cancer cell growth, specifically in colon or breast cancer. However, research is still ongoing to determine whether the link is consistent.
And while trials and studies continue to be worked on, there are several other potential health benefits, including boosts to your immune system, relief of symptoms related to Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs), and improvements in your cardiovascular system.
So far, studies have yet to identify any significant side effects from the consumption of aronia berries. However, you should avoid eating too many because, as with many fruits, they can cause diarrhea.
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and here:
Purchase on Amazon.
What Is Aronia Berry Good For?
Aronia berry is a tasty fruit when eaten raw, although many people don’t enjoy the dry mouth sensation. You can add frozen berries to juices and smoothies (perfect with honey for a bit of sweetness) or extract pure aronia juice from the berries if you’re a fan of the acquired taste.
Turn your frozen berries into jams or jellies, or use them as ingredients when you’re baking – they’re great when added to cookies or muffins. Add them to your morning cereal, and liven up your oatmeal or bran.
There are loads of recipes or simple ways you can use aronia berries. Still, the healthiest way is to ensure they have been appropriately stored to maximize the health benefits. So if you’ve defrosted aronia berries, refrigeration is essential to keep them ripe and tasty.
Are Aronia Berries Poisonous?
Aronia berries are not poisonous. According to studies by food safety organizations and universities, they are safe to eat and have no serious side effects. However, they are an emerging food, so long-term studies are still to be carried out.
Aronia berries have one mild effect, which may be unpleasant to some – they are astringent, which means they leave a dry feeling in your mouth, almost like sandpaper. That’s why it’s often good to eat frozen Aronia berries with other foods such as yogurt. Also, if you eat too many, you may suffer diarrhea symptoms, just as you would with most other fruits with a high fiber content.
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Can the Aronia Berry Extract Help Regulate Blood Glucose?
Are Aronia Berries a Superfood?
Aronia berries are considered a superfood because of their Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC).
Any food that measures highly in this antioxidant measurement is considered a superfood because it means that anyone consuming them can enjoy many health benefits. The higher an ORAC value placed against food, the better it is at providing the antioxidants that can fight heart disease.
How Many Aronia Berries Should I Eat in a Day?
You should eat around 20 aronia berries daily to maximize your ORAC intake. That would provide you with approximately 5,000 ORAC units, the upper level that nutrition experts recommend.
Aronia berries are low-calorie, so you don’t need to worry about over-eating them. They are high in Vitamin C, but not to the point that you need to be concerned if you eat a regular amount. 20-30 berries per day is a good number to aim for.
Eating more than this can cause diarrhea, so while the health benefits may sound exciting, don’t go overboard!
Some believe that it is better to split your aronia portions across the day, eating 5-10 berries at a time, to maintain the health benefits over a more extended period. This may be true, but if you find it’s easier to eat the portion in one sitting, then you won’t be missing out too much,
How Do You Eat Frozen Aronia Berries?
You can eat frozen aronia berries in a number of ways. First, you can enjoy them as a snack even without defrosting them – the frozen fruit should not be too hard on your teeth and will give a satisfying crunch. However, if you eat aronia berries as a snack alone, be prepared for the dry-mouth sensation and tart, sharp flavors.
When frozen, aronia berries are easier to grind and work well in smoothies. You can also add them to yogurt or oatmeal – adding frozen berries to heated oatmeal can be a delicious and healthy way to start your day.
Suppose you want to defrost your aronia berries before eating them. In that case, you can either leave them on your countertop for 1-2 hours or refrigerate them for 3-4 hours. If you place a portion in a sealed container in the fridge overnight, it should be fresh and tasty for you in the morning.
Where To Buy Frozen Aronia Berries
Frozen aronia berries are sold in some health food stores, or you can buy them online. However, they don’t tend to be found in major supermarkets, so you may need to visit specialist health stores if you want to find them.
Buying them online means they’ll usually be shipped to your home with gel packs or other means of keeping them frozen. If you live in a hot climate, make sure you’ll be home to receive your package or that there’s somewhere shaded and cool that it can be left so that your frozen berries don’t defrost while you’re at work.
If you can find fresh Aronia berries in a store near you, you can freeze them yourself. However, bear in mind that berries will clump together if you freeze them in one package, so ideally, portion them up before you put them in the freezer.
Is Aronia Berry the Same as Elderberry?
Aronia berries and elderberries share a lot of similar traits, but they are different fruits. Both are grown in North America and Europe, and both help to boost the immune system.
One key difference is that Aronia branches, Aronia leaves, and twigs from the plant are safe for human consumption, whether that is in tea or other concentrates. On the other hand, Elderberry branches, leaves, and twigs are unsafe as they contain a small amount of cyanide.
What Animals Eat Aronia?
Many wild animals, including deer, eat Aronia berries as part of their regular diet. However, suppose you have rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas, or other small pets. In that case, aronia berries can be an excellent snack to feed them in moderation.
In the wild, birds will eat aronia berries but often as a last resort due to the tart flavors.
Are Aronia Berries Poisonous to Dogs?
Aronia berries should not be poisonous to dogs, but it is best to not feed them to your dog on purpose if you can avoid it. Dogs shouldn’t eat wild berries because some parts of plants can be toxic. If you find that your dog has eaten some Aronia berries, speak to your veterinarian for advice.
How Do You Eat Dried Aronia Berries?
Dried Aronia berries can be used in various ways. Try grinding them into a powder to flavor your latest bakes, or eat them raw. Aronia berry powder can be used in various different dishes.
Be aware that dried berries will leave your mouth even drier than a fresh one, so consider eating them with yogurt or something else to help with that rough sensation on your tongue. Aronia berry juice is a popular health option.
You can choose to buy fresh Aronia berries on Amazon here:
Purchase on Amazon.
Summary
Aronia berries are packed with helpful nutrients and antioxidants, and buying them frozen helps preserve all that goodness until you eat them.
If buying frozen berries doesn’t work for you, freeze-dried options are more straightforward – they can be stored in a cool, dry place and don’t need to be shipped in special packaging. Because freeze-dried berries are often powdered, they’re only suitable as an additive to something else, whether that’s your oatmeal or smoothie.
Be sure to try aronia berries and see whether they help boost your overall health.
