Table of content A-Z
Cowberry
Synonyms: mountain cranberry, lingonberry, red whortleberry
botanical name: Vaccinium vitis-idaea
The cowberry is native to the Scandinavian countries. This berry that earlier grew wild only in forests and on heaths is meanwhile cultivated as well in Scandinavia and in Germany.
Availability
Cowberries are sold from August to October.
Appearance, taste, characteristics
Cowberries grow in small bunches on dwarf shrubs that may be 30 cm high. They are about 1 cm large, round to oval, and scarlet red and shiny when ripe. They contain many small seeds, and the proportion of pulp is accordingly smaller. Cowberries have a tart-sour flavour.
Ingredients
Cowberries contain polyphenols, which belong to the secondary plant substances, above all quercetin. They also have a high pectin content, which helps them to gel.
100 g contain:
|
|
Cowberry, fresh |
Cowberry, tinned (sugared and including juice) |
|
Energy (kcal) |
39 |
1831 |
|
Water (g) |
88 |
52.6 |
|
Protein (g) |
<1 |
0.5 |
|
Fat (g) |
<1 |
0.3 |
|
Carbohydrates (g) |
7 |
441 |
|
Fibre(g) |
3 |
n.a.* |
|
Vitamin C (mg) |
12 |
n.a.* |
|
Vitamin A (RE) (µg) |
4 |
n.a.* |
|
Folic acid (µg) |
3 |
n.a.* |
|
Potassium (mg) |
70 |
69 |
|
Sodium (mg) |
2 |
16 |
|
Calcium (mg) |
14 |
11 |
|
Magnesium (mg) |
6 |
6.9 |
|
Iron (mg) |
0.5 |
2.7 |
n.a.* not available
Note: As this is a natural product, and as the information is taken from
various sources and therefore from different analyses, there may be
fluctuations in the nutritional facts. The minerals in particular may
fluctuate, since the plant takes these from the soil, the composition of which
itself can vary. Its mineral content is influenced, for instance, by
fertilization. The footnotes are explained here.
Quality criteria, optimal storage conditions
The red fruits frequently keep for an amazingly long time. This is due to their naturally high content of benzoic acid. (This is added to some foods as a preservative.) In the refrigerator they will keep for a week, in the freezer for about 3 months. However, it is more advantageous to use them quickly, as their vitamin content decreases quickly.
Form of consumption, use, processing, practical tips for preparation
It is possible to eat cowberries raw, but this is not exactly recommended. Owing to the high acid content of the fruits they have an astringent effect in the mouth and are thus inedible in large amounts.
In contrast, cowberry jam and compote are very popular, served as an accompaniment to game dishes or fried camembert or as a pie filling, a cake topping or a dessert sauce. In addition there are cowberry liqueur, juice and wine.
Seasoning tip
Honey, vanilla, cinnamon, cloves, gingerbread spices and cardamom all taste good with cowberries.
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