Aronia Berry (chokeberry) The Acai of North America The Aronia
Berry, commonly known in the United States as the chokeberry is
one of the richest berry in pigmented compounds known. It is
these pigments and other phenolic compounds (anthocyanins,
catechins, phenolic acids, etc.) that are believed to make the
aronia berry one of the powerful antioxidant fruits in the
world. The pre-American native inhabitants knew about aronia
berries and used them for food, medicinal, and preservative
(e.g., pemmican) purposes. When the Europeans arrived, they
found the astryngent berry unpalatable, and thus it received the
name "chokeberry". With a little preparation, the aronia berry
in fact can produce delicious and healthy juices, wine,
preserves, etc. As interest in super-fruits has increased, the
aronia berry has been given a new place in the hierarchy of
antioxidant fruits- at the top of the heap! There are few
berries in its class, acai possibly being one of them; though
the aronia berry has some unique characteristic