Lingonberry

Origin / Growing regions

The original home of the lingonberry, also known as the redberry or mountain cranberry, is Eurasia. The largest harvest areas are located in the forests of Scandinavia and the marsh and heather landscapes of Central Europe.

Description

The lingonberry is the Scandinavian cousin of the American cranberry and the European redberry. People in Sweden call it the “red gold of the country”. Lingonberries grow on evergreen, frost-resistant shrubs.

Fruit

Lingonberries are round to oval fruits measuring about one centimetre in diameter. Their colour varies from light-red to scarlet. The red pulp, which contains very little juice, is full of small seeds.

Lingonberry

Flavour

The flavour of lingonberries ranges from tart-sour to bitter (astringent). Seldom eaten raw, they are often served as compote or in combination with other juices.

Distinctive characteristics

Lingonberries are especially rich in antioxidants, which are said to have a protective effect on cells. The fruits also contain numerous acids, such as benzoic acid, which protects the juice against spoiling for extended periods of time. Their vitamin C content is also quite high.