Blueberries are one of the most popular berries in Canada. Aronia berries, also called chokeberries, look similar at first glance, but they are a different plant with a very different taste. Here is how the two compare, and how to enjoy both.
At a glance
| Aronia berries | Blueberries | |
|---|---|---|
| Plant | Aronia melanocarpa, rose family | Vaccinium species, heath family |
| Native to | Eastern North America | North America (wild and cultivated species) |
| Colour | Deep purple to black, dark red flesh | Blue with a pale bloom, light green flesh |
| Taste | Tart, dry and astringent | Sweet and mild |
| Eaten fresh? | Rarely, because of the astringency | Yes, by the handful |
| Common forms | Juice, powder, dried berries, jam | Fresh, frozen, dried, powder, baking |
| Availability | Mostly online and in specialty stores | Every grocery store |
Why blueberries are more common
The main reason is taste. Blueberries are sweet enough to eat straight from the bush, while aronia got the name "chokeberry" for its dry, mouth-puckering tartness. Blueberries have also been bred and farmed on a large scale in Canada for a long time. Aronia is still a young crop here, and most aronia products come from established farms in Poland, Germany and other European countries.
How they taste
Blueberries are sweet with a gentle acidity. Aronia berries are tart and dry, with a flavour somewhere between blackcurrant and unsweetened cranberry. The dryness comes from natural tannins, like those in black tea or red wine. That is why aronia is usually enjoyed as juice, powder or dried berries, often combined with sweeter fruit.
In the kitchen
- Colour: aronia gives smoothies, yogourt and baking a much deeper purple than blueberries.
- Sweetness: blueberries add sweetness; aronia adds tartness and depth. Together they balance each other well.
- Baking: dried aronia berries can replace raisins or dried cranberries; blueberries are the classic choice for muffins and pancakes.
- Drinks: aronia juice works well diluted with sparkling water; blueberries are better blended whole into smoothies.
Enjoy both
You do not have to choose. A simple combination: one tablespoon of aronia powder and one tablespoon of our wild blueberry powder, made from Nova Scotia wild blueberries, blended with banana and yogourt. The blueberries bring sweetness, the aronia brings colour and a tart edge. For more ideas, see easy ways to add aronia berries to your diet.
Frequently asked questions
Are aronia berries a type of blueberry?
No. Aronia belongs to the rose family, like apples and cherries. Blueberries belong to the heath family.
Are aronia berries and chokeberries the same?
Yes. Chokeberry is the common English name for aronia. It is not the same as chokecherry (Prunus virginiana).
Can I mix aronia and blueberries?
Yes. The sweetness of blueberries balances the tartness of aronia in smoothies, oatmeal and jam.
Where can I buy aronia in Canada?
We ship organic aronia juice, powder and dried berries across Canada. See all aronia products.
