US JUICE ® Health Benefits of Boysenberries

Boysenberries are common ingredients in jams and jellies, muffins, cakes, pie fillings and tarts. They add flavor to salad dressings, ice cream, sauces and stews, and are enjoyed in teas, juices and other beverages. Berries are good sources of phytochemicals, such as anthocyanins, flavonoids and benzoic acid, and are high in fiber, pectin, vitamins A and C, potassium, calcium and phosphorus. They have been implicated in a number of health benefits, from the prevention of cancer and urinary-tract infections, to lowering blood pressure and cholesterol. Shrubs of the genus Vaccinium produce many common berries. Bilberries, or whortleberries, are popular in Ireland. Blackberries, Boysenberries and Cranberries, including American cranberries, lingonberries, foxberries and cowberries (in England), create preserves and sauces for meats. Blueberries, both wild and the larger cultivated varieties, find use in baked goods, jams, pies, pancakes and salads. Small, round, red, white or black currants are found in North America, Europe and Asia. In England, they are used in summer puddings and in jellies that accompany lamb. Black currants are popular in Europe, for teas to soothe sore throats, jam and the cordial crème de cassis. Tart-tasting gooseberries, popular in France, are made into a sauce for oily fish and meats. In England, they are made into a rich dessert containing eggs and butter, served with whipped cream. Elderberries are native to Europe, Asia and North America. The English combine elderberries with apples to provide a sweet scent to chutneys, soups and non-alcoholic cordials. Blackberries, popular in Britain and northern Europe, are made into tea for curing indigestion. Many types of raspberries can be found: a loganberry is a cross between raspberry and blackberry; boysenberries and youngberries are raspberry hybrids used in peach Melba and vinaigrettes. Strawberries, a distant botanical relative of these cane berries, are popular all over the world, from shortcakes, jams and milk shakes, to fresh with cream and yogurt. Black and white mulberries come from Asia; the red mulberry is native to North America. In Afghanistan, black mulberries are dried, ground and mixed with flour to make a bread, talkhun. In India, mulberries are added to curries, sauces and beverages.