Haskap
Haskap—also known as blue honeysuckle or honeyberry—was known to the ancient Japanese as “the fruit of longevity.” It originates from the island of Hokkaido—Japan’s northernmost island territory—and was introduced to Canada in the 1950s as an ornamental. By the late 1990s, scientists had developed hardy varieties with tasty fruits that are now prized for their health benefits. Haskap fruit is similar to blueberries in colour, but it is elongated and slightly cylindrical—more like a mini plum. The plant is not a close cousin of blueberries or cranberries; it is more closely related to the tomato.
Health Benefits
Blueberries are well known for containing polyphenol antioxidants, but Haskap berries have five times the amount, making them an antioxidant superfood.
Polyphenols provide the fruit with natural protection against ultraviolet radiation, fungal attack, and other pathogens. In humans, these antioxidants help prevent heart disease, cancers, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, osteoporosis, and neurodegenerative diseases.
The phenolic content in this berry is directly associated with its colour and flavour. The skin of red grapes also contains high concentrations, which helps explain red wine’s colour and its antioxidant properties. But the flesh of most red grapes is actually white. Haskap berries, on the other hand, have flesh that is reddish-purple. That means the berries have high phenol content throughout, and not just in the skin, giving Haskap a higher antioxidant score and superior health benefits.
DIFFICULTY
Easy
HARDINESS
Perennial in zones 2 and above
TIME TO PLANT
Early spring
TIME TO HARVEST
Spring to early summer
LOCATION
Full to part sun
SOIL TYPE
Well-drained
Growing
Haskap is the rising star of the berry industry in North America. The fruits are packed with antioxidants, and the plant is extremely well suited to northern climates. It was cultivated in Siberia in the 1950s, and more hardy varieties were developed by the University of Saskatchewan. Not only does it survive Canadian winters, but it is the first berry to flower and the first to bear fruit. Haskap is also fast-growing and high-yielding.
Common Varieties: The most popular Haskap varieties are ‘Indigo Gem’, ‘Indigo Treat’, ‘Tundra’, ‘Borealis’, and ‘Honey Bee’. Most varieties are not self-pollinating, so they need to be planted alongside a complementary variety. For example, ‘Honey Bee’ can pollinate the other types.
PLANT
Haskap can be planted anytime during the growing season, but early spring is ideal (as soon as the soil is workable). Locate the plants in full sun out of direct wind, and ensure the soil is well-drained. While Haskap will grow in average soils and can tolerate slight acidity, it will thrive in soils rich in organic matter or amended with composted manure. Plant 1 metre (3 feet) apart and water deeply and infrequently. Mulch to minimize weed growth and keep the roots cool.
GROW
Haskap will thrive with occasional watering, some weeding, and infrequent fertilizing with compost tea (page 175) or general garden fertilizer (10-10-10). Haskap are resistant to disease, insects, and deer, but your biggest challenge is birds, especially cedar waxwings. Apply netting, install noisemakers, and even put up a plastic owl to discourage birds from eating your prized crop.
After harvest, continue watering and weeding, and watch out for powdery mildew. Treat as necessary with a fungicide and ensure good airflow around plants.
Haskap can get quite large: The mature shrub is about 1 metre (3 feet) wide and 1 to 2 metres (3 to 6 feet) tall. While the plant is dormant in late winter or early spring, prune out older and/or dead branches. When the shrub becomes very dense, central branches should be removed. Be careful never to prune more than 25% of the entire bush in a season.
HARVEST
Haskap is the first berry you can harvest in spring, but don’t be fooled: The berries will appear deep in colour and plump, but they still may not be ready for harvest for up to 10 days. If there is any green still inside the berry, it’s not fully ripe. Ripe berries will naturally fall when you shake the bush.
The birds and the bees play a big role in the garden. Many plants that produce fruits, berries, and nuts require pollinators. In some cases (such as hollies) the plants are actually male and female. But with Haskap you need more than one cultivar in order to produce fruit. You don’t need to plant them in even numbers; one pollinator can be effective for up to eight producing plants.
Frozen Haskap berries; Haskap juice.
STORE
Wash Haskap berries just before use. They can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 10 days, or frozen. Haskap can also be preserved in jams, jellies, and wines.
Put It to Work
Not getting your antioxidants? Get syrupy about Haskap!
The trend today is all about eating healthier without abandoning taste. Haskap syrup is not only an antioxidant powerhouse, but it can single-handedly make pancakes healthier and tastier, sweeten a shake, and even give you partial justification for eating vanilla ice cream!
6 cups Haskap berries (fresh or frozen)
3 tsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 cups water
6 cups granulated sugar
In a blender, combine the berries and lemon juice and blend on high speed until smooth. Pour into a large pot. Bring to a boil and, one cup at a time, stir in the sugar until completely dissolved. Reduce the heat and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring often. Remove from the heat and let cool. Strain through a cheesecloth into a bowl (discard solids). Using a funnel, pour the syrup into a sterilized narrow-neck pouring jar (like an old syrup jar) with a tight-fitting lid. The syrup will keep in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.
Got gout? Haskap smoothies daily!
Gout is a form of inflammation that occurs when crystals of uric acid accumulate in a joint (most commonly the big toe) and cause sudden pain. People with gout either overproduce uric acid or are less efficient at eliminating it.
If you suffer from gout you should closely watch your purine intake. Purines are compounds found in high-protein foods such as poultry and meat (especially organ meats), beer (and alcohol in general), and seafood. Gout can also be triggered by too much sugar, so limit soft drinks sweetened with high-fructose corn syrup or sugar and sugary drinks—stick to water!
Antioxidants and vitamin C will help a gout flare-up tremendously. Thankfully, Haskap is full of both. Drink this smoothie daily to reduce uric acid.
1 cup Haskap berries (fresh or frozen)
½ cup strawberries (fresh or frozen)
½ cup raspberries (fresh or frozen)
2 cups coconut milk
½ cup plain Greek yogurt
1 tsp chia seeds
8 ice cubes
Liquid honey
In a blender, combine all of the ingredients (sweeten with honey to taste) and blend on high speed until smooth.
Can spinach salad get any healthier? Yes!
Spinach is chock full of micronutrients, including powerful antioxidants and phytonutrients hard to find in other foods. Dress it up with Haskap and you have the dream team of disease prevention!
½ cup puréed Haskap berries (fresh or frozen)
Freshly squeezed juice of 2 lemons
½ cup extra virgin olive oil
1 tbsp liquid honey
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
¼ tsp turmeric powder
6 cups baby spinach
½ Spanish onion, chopped
1 cup chopped pecans
¼ cup fresh coriander leaves
In a blender, combine the Haskap berries, lemon juice, oil, honey, salt and pepper to taste, and turmeric and blend on high speed until smooth.
In a salad bowl, toss the baby spinach with the dressing. Sprinkle with the onion and pecans and garnish with coriander.
Fast Forward
Fast forward to Haskapa.com to purchase Haskap products.
Cautions
Haskap is a new crop, so very little research has been done to assess risks or possible drug interactions.
