How to determine the ripeness of rowan berries and when to harvest them

Berries

Chokeberries are a storehouse of beneficial minerals, vitamins, and microelements; they are used in various forms in folk medicine and cosmetology. A shrub or small tree with a spreading crown, aronia is a garden ornament. It's very easy to grow, taking root and thriving even in harsh climates. The harvesting period depends on the harvesting method and the growing region.

Chokeberry: ripening and harvesting times

For various purposes, the berries are harvested at the ripeness stage; in some cases, they are left on the tree for about another month. In all regions, black rowan berries ripen from early to late August. They turn dark purple and are easy to pick, but the flavor is still bland and highly astringent. Over time, the astringency partially fades, and by the first half of September, the berries have become sweeter. Aronia can be picked after frost; it will be sweet and not too astringent. Berries that have been frozen are not suitable for long-term storage or drying.

From the beginning of flowering (June–July) to full ripening, it usually takes 10–12 weeks, although this period may vary slightly among individual varieties. In the south, the berries ripen very early, around mid-August; in the Moscow region, in the second ten days of September; and in the Urals, Siberia, and northern regions, in the last days of autumn.

When are chokeberries harvested in different regions?

Central zone and Moscow region – from the 3rd ten-day period of September until the end of October.
South – from the beginning of autumn.
Siberia, the Urals, Leningrad and Vologda regions – from mid-November.

These are approximate harvesting periods. Ripeness can be determined by the appearance, texture, and taste of the berries. Unripe rowan berries (at technical maturity) are not sweet, very astringent, and tasteless. Fully ripe berries are slightly sweet, medium to slightly tart, and have a rich, vibrant purple juice. Greenish berries have a light, bluish-lilac, or pink juice.

Collection times for preparations:

Jam. Use firm, but not hard, ripe berries; slightly frost-bitten ones are fine. Dried, dry, or rotten berries will spoil the flavor. If chokeberries are used to color jam made from light-colored fruits, slightly unripe berries can be used. The harvest is from late September to mid-October.
Compote. If the drink is made only from chokeberries, the berries are picked no earlier than October, when they are ripe and sweet. For assorted compote Slightly unripe fruits, picked from the bush at the end of September, are used. Rowan pairs well with apricots, raspberries, apples, and pears.
Jelly, marmalade. Overripe rowan berries are used, as well as those that have been slightly frozen. Chokeberries are harvested in November.
Wine. Only soft, sweet, juicy, and non-astringent berries are used. For wine, they are picked in mid-autumn or after the first light frost.
The liqueur should have a tart (not too strong) flavor, and the fruit should be firm but fully ripe. Harvest is planned for late September or October.

Note!

Chokeberry liqueur with honey or cinnamon has a more pleasant, richer flavor. And cloves add a piquant twist.

Harvesting chokeberries for freezing begins in late September, when they are ripe and have reached their full sugar content. Ripe berries (picked between late October and mid-November) with no signs of rot or other damage are also used for drying. Rowan berries are cut with their flower clusters, leaving short branches, which can then be tied into "bouquets" of dried berries.

How to harvest

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The berries are picked in the morning or afternoon in dry, windless weather. Wet berries are only used for quick processing (the same day), otherwise they will quickly rot. The berries are collected in plastic, glass, ceramic, clay, or enamel containers. Sturdy cardboard boxes and wicker baskets are acceptable, but only if you don't mind getting them dirty. Galvanized or aluminum buckets or bowls will impair the flavor of the rowan berries, especially if the berries are left in them for a long time.

The inflorescences are cut with clean and well-sharpened garden tools. After harvesting, they are inspected, and any unripe, dry, overly hard, rotten berries and other debris are removed. Fruits damaged by frost can fall off heavily. When harvesting such rowan berries, spread oilcloth or lutrasil around the bush, then inspect the fallen fruit, and discard any damaged chokeberries.

How to store black rowan berries

Aronia won't keep for long in a warm place; if there's no room in the refrigerator, the berries are processed immediately. Black rowan berries can be stored fresh almost until the end of winter. The clusters are strung on a thick thread and hung in a basement, attic, or on a balcony. Another option is to place the inflorescences in a wooden box, with moss or dried leaves (from fruit trees or ferns) placed between the layers of berries. The room temperature is maintained at 0–1°C. For this type of storage, the berries are harvested from the bush in early October.

Chokeberries are dried indoors in a well-ventilated area or outdoors. The berries are spread on paper and hung. When drying outdoors, monitor the weather and be sure to cover the harvested fruit with a transparent cloth to protect it from insects, dust, and dirt. Quick drying methods include a microwave, an oven (at 50–60°C), or a special dehydrator. Dried rowan berries are stored in a cotton cloth for up to two years; after that, they lose their beneficial properties.

The easiest way to prepare and store chokeberries is to freeze them. This preserves their vitamins, trace elements, and other beneficial substances. Before freezing, wash the berries under running water and dry thoroughly. First, spread them out in a single layer on a baking sheet, and once completely frozen, transfer them to plastic bags or containers.