Aronia melanocarpa / Photinia melanocarpa – Aronia Berry, Black Chokeberry

Description

A small shrub in the rosaceae family, native to eastern North America, from Newfoundland to Georgia and Arkansas, with populations found in Michigan and Missouri; which can reach up to more than 2.50 meters in height at an average growth rate, but generally in domestic cultivation it rarely exceeds 1.00 meters in height; being able to bear fruit from its second year in cultivation.

Resistant to cold, frost and very tolerant to heat.

The fruits ripen in a short period of time and the size is similar to grapes or cherries.

The fruits are very dark purple to almost black in color, with an acrid-sweet flavor, can be enjoyed in natura, in the preparation of jams, sweets, fruit salads, teas, ice cream, liqueurs, wines, among many others. Widely explored for juice production.

Aronia melanocarpa (black chokeberry) has attracted scientific interest due to its deep purple, almost black pigmentation; that arises from dense contents of polyphenols, especially anthocyanins. The total polyphenol content is 1752 milliligrams per 100 grams of fresh berries, the anthocyanin content is 1480 milligrams per 100 grams and the proanthocyanidin concentration is 664 milligrams per 100 grams. These values ??are among the highest measured in plants to date.

The plant produces these pigments mainly in the leaves and skin of the berries to protect the pulp and seeds from constant exposure to ultraviolet radiation and the production of free radicals.

Aronia melanocarpa is especially grown in gardens around the world as an extremely ornamental specimen and for the production of its fruits, where they usually grow in the shade of trees or in orchards.

Well-established plants are rustic, resistant to drought, insects, pollution and disease.

Black chokeberry is a shrub full of ornamental attributes and edible fruits rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, a beautiful addition to our collection.