The Sweet and the Thorny: Are Wineberries Safe to Eat?
We’ve all seen them: those beautiful, brambly bushes covered in tiny red berries, often hidden away in a fuzzy husk along a forest path. They look a lot like raspberries, but with an extra shine. If you’ve ever wondered if you could just pluck one and eat it, you’re not alone. The short answer is a definitive yes. These delightful little gems, officially called Rubus phoenicolasius, are perfectly safe to eat and are a favorite find for anyone who loves foraging. But before you start snacking, you should know exactly what you’re looking for.
Spotting a Wineberry in the Wild
Knowing how to properly identify a wineberry is the number one rule of foraging. While they’re a close cousin to raspberries and blackberries, a few key features set them apart.
First, look at the stems. They’re the most obvious giveaway. They’re covered in this dense, reddish-purple hair, or bristles, mixed in with tiny little thorns. That fuzzy, prickly texture is a dead giveaway.
Next, check out the leaves. They’re a deep green on top, but the underside is a pale, silvery-white color that really makes them stand out. Finally, the fruit itself is this incredible jewel-toned red. It grows inside a papery, burr-like husk that protects it until it’s perfectly ripe. When it’s ready, the berry slides right out of the husk, just like a raspberry detaches from its core.
Flavor and a Quick Caveat
When you get a wineberry at its peak ripeness, the flavor is incredible. It’s juicy and sweet, but with a little more zing than a typical raspberry. It’s no wonder foragers go nuts for them. They’re great on their own or turned into jams and desserts.
Now, for a quick reality check. You may have heard that wineberries are an invasive species, and that’s true in many parts of the U.S. They were first brought over from Asia in the late 1800s and quickly took over, forming dense, thorny thickets that can crowd out native plants. But their invasive status has nothing to do with whether they’re safe to eat. In fact, by picking them, you’re actually doing a small part to help control their spread.
Culinary Ideas and Recipes
Enjoying wineberries isn’t limited to eating them fresh off the vine. Their unique flavor makes them an incredibly versatile ingredient in the kitchen, from simple additions to elegant desserts.
Simple Ideas
If you want to enjoy the taste of wineberries without much fuss, try adding them to these dishes:
- Breakfast: Sprinkle a generous handful over your yogurt, oatmeal, or cottage cheese.
- Salads: Wineberries can be a surprising and delicious addition to savory summer salads, especially when paired with strong flavors like goat cheese or crumbled blue cheese.
- Simple Desserts: Serve them fresh with a dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a classic treat.
In Drinks
The sweet-tart flavor of wineberries makes them an ideal ingredient for beverages.
- Smoothies: Toss a handful of fresh or frozen wineberries into your blender with a banana and some yogurt for a nutritious and refreshing smoothie.
- Cocktails: Use the berries as a vibrant and flavorful garnish. For a deeper taste, muddle them with lime and mint before adding your favorite spirit.
- Infused Water: Add a few berries to a pitcher of water and let it infuse in the refrigerator for a naturally flavored, vitamin-rich drink.
Preserving for Later
Since wineberry season is short, making a preserve is a great way to enjoy their flavor all year long.
- Jam or Jelly: This is one of the most popular uses. The berries are perfect for making a delicious, slightly tart jam. Add a squeeze of lemon juice to enhance the flavor and aid in setting.
- Syrup: Make a simple syrup with wineberries and sugar. You can store it in the fridge and drizzle it over pancakes, waffles, or stir it into seltzer for a homemade soda.
- Freezing: Wineberries freeze beautifully. Simply spread them in a single layer on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer them to a freezer bag. This prevents them from clumping and keeps them ready for use whenever you need them.
Recipe: Simple Wineberry Crumble
This dessert is incredibly easy to make and perfectly highlights the berries’ flavor.
Ingredients:
For the Filling:
- 4 cups wineberries
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
For the Topping:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
- Pinch of salt
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a bowl, mix the wineberries, sugar, cornstarch, and lemon juice. Pour the mixture into a baking dish.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, oats, brown sugar, and salt. Add the cold butter cubes and use your fingers or a pastry blender to mix until coarse crumbs form.
- Sprinkle the crumble topping evenly over the berry filling.
- Bake for 35-40 minutes, until the filling is bubbling and the topping is golden brown and crispy. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.
Foraging with Common Sense
To safely enjoy your wineberry haul, just keep a few simple rules in mind. Make sure you’re picking them from an area you know hasn’t been sprayed with herbicides. Avoid roadsides, for instance. Also, the thorny stems can give you a nasty scratch, so a long-sleeved shirt and pants are a good idea. And, of course, always give your berries a good wash before you eat them.
So go on, enjoy that little ruby-red treat. With a little bit of know-how, it’s a perfectly safe and delicious way to get in touch with nature.