Sea buckthorn juice is the juice pressed from the small orange-yellow berries of sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.)[1][2], a thorny shrub of the oleaster family that is native to Europe and temperate Asia. The juice tastes tart, tangy and citrus-like. It is not a sweet sipping juice: enjoy it straight, diluted with water or blended with sweeter juices. This guide explains what to expect from the taste, simple ways to use the juice, how it is made and how to handle a 3-litre bag-in-box.
What is sea buckthorn?
Sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides L.)[1][2] is a hardy, deciduous shrub or small tree of the oleaster family (Elaeagnaceae) that is native to Europe and temperate Asia[5]. It usually grows 2 to 4 metres tall. Its stems carry sharp, stout thorns. Its berries are the size of a pea, orange-yellow and acidic, and each one holds a single hard seed.
The soft berries cling tightly to the branches. Sea buckthorn plants are either male or female, and both need to grow close to each other for the berries to form. The roots have nitrogen-fixing nodules.
Carl Linnaeus described the species in 1753 in Species Plantarum[2][5]. Its native range stretches across much of Europe and temperate Asia, from Britain and Scandinavia to Mongolia and northern and western China[5].
In Canada, sea buckthorn is an introduced plant, not a native one[1]. It was first grown as an ornamental and later planted widely in prairie shelterbelts and to control soil erosion.
Good to know
Sea buckthorn goes by many names. In English you may also see seaberry[1], sallowthorn[5], sandthorn or swallow-thorn. In French it is called argousier, in German Sanddorn[5].
What does sea buckthorn juice taste like?
Sea buckthorn juice tastes intense: boldly tart and tangy, with a zesty, citrus-like character and a fruity note of its own. It is not a sweet juice. Mixing it with water or with sweeter juices such as apple or orange softens the sharpness, and a little honey rounds it off.
Its sharp, fruity tartness is reminiscent of passion fruit.
A quick taste map:
- First sip: sharp and tart
- Character: zesty and citrus-like, with a fruity note of its own
- Colour: bright golden-orange
Apple, apricot, orange, mango, banana and peach all go well with sea buckthorn.
How do you use sea buckthorn juice?
Sea buckthorn juice can be enjoyed straight, diluted with water or blended with sweeter juices. Mix it with still or sparkling water, combine it with orange, apple or carrot juice, blend it into smoothies with mango, banana or peach, or use its citrusy tang in vinaigrettes, spritzers and alcohol-free cocktails.
- Straight: bold and zesty, served well chilled.
- With water: still or sparkling – see Mixing sea buckthorn juice with water below.
- Juice blends: orange, apple or carrot juice mellow the tartness.
- Smoothies: sweet fruits such as mango, banana or peach balance the sharp taste.
- Dressings: its citrusy tang works well in vinaigrettes.
- Spritzers and mocktails: top it with sparkling water or mix it into alcohol-free cocktails.
Looking for sea buckthorn juice? See where to buy it in Canada.
Juice is only one way to use the fruit. In Europe and Asia, sea buckthorn berries are also made into jam and other drinks.
Mixing sea buckthorn juice with water
Sea buckthorn juice mixes well with still or sparkling water, which softens its tart, tangy taste. Mix juice and water until the taste suits you. With a spoon of honey, it becomes a simple homemade sea buckthorn lemonade. You can also top it with sparkling water for a spritzer or mix it into alcohol-free cocktails.
How is sea buckthorn juice made?
The steps below describe how sea buckthorn juice is generally made; they do not describe a specific producer. In short, the juice is pressed from the soft, fleshy part of ripe berries. After pressing, producers can separate part of the fruit oil and fine solids from the juice and pasteurize it before it is packed.
Harvest. The berries ripen in late summer and autumn. Because they are soft and cling tightly to thorny branches, picking them by hand is slow work. Many growers therefore cut whole fruiting branches, freeze them and then shake or roll the frozen berries off.
Pressing and finishing. Right after pressing, the juice still contains fruit oil and fine fruit solids, and producers can separate part of them. The juice can then be pasteurized, which means it is heated, before it is packed.
"Not from concentrate". Juice labelled "not from concentrate" was pressed from the fruit and packed as juice[3].
Why does sea buckthorn juice separate?
Sea buckthorn juice can separate when it stands, because it contains fruit oil and fine fruit solids that do not stay evenly mixed. In our 3-litre bag-in-box, sediment may form and float to the top[4]. Do not shake the box: if needed, gently tilt it from side to side, keeping the spout as the lowest point[4].
Handling the 3-litre box
The 3-litre bag-in-box has a built-in tap, and the juice is held in an inner bag inside the carton. To empty the remaining juice, tip the box slightly. Once it is empty, open the carton, remove the inner bag and dispose of it properly[4].
Please follow the storage instructions and the best-before date on the box.
Sea buckthorn juice at a glance
Sea buckthorn (the plant)
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Hippophae rhamnoides L., oleaster family (Elaeagnaceae)[1][2] |
| Also called | Seaberry, sallowthorn, sandthorn, swallow-thorn; in French argousier, in German Sanddorn |
| Native range | Europe and temperate Asia[5] |
| Berries | Pea-sized, orange-yellow and acidic, each with a single hard seed |
| Harvest | Late summer and autumn |
What our label says
The sea buckthorn juice we sell carries the PassionBio brand. The label lists the ingredient as sea buckthorn juice[4]. It describes the juice as not from concentrate, skimmed and pasteurized[4].
Our juice
| Topic | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | PassionBio |
| Format | 3-litre bag-in-box with a built-in tap |
| Ingredients (label) | Sea buckthorn juice |
| On the label | Not from concentrate, skimmed, pasteurized |
| Taste | Tart, tangy, citrus-like |
| Typical uses | Straight, with still or sparkling water, in juice blends, smoothies, dressings and mocktails |
| Nutrition Facts table, best before, storage | See the box |
| Imported from | Germany, by J&J Aronia |
| Available in | Canada only |
Where to buy sea buckthorn juice in Canada
In Canada, J&J Aronia sells sea buckthorn juice online at aroniaberry.ca. It comes in a 3-litre bag-in-box with a built-in tap and is sold under the PassionBio brand. The juice is currently available in Canada only.
Orders are usually dispatched within 2 business days; see our shipping policy for delivery times. Standard shipping within Canada is $10 CAD and free on orders of $50 CAD or more.
Shop Sea Buckthorn Juice 3 L (Canada only) or browse all our Juices.
Quick answers
What is sea buckthorn juice?
Sea buckthorn juice is the juice pressed from the orange-yellow berries of sea buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides), a thorny shrub native to Europe and temperate Asia. The juice is bright golden-orange and tastes tart, tangy and citrus-like. It can be enjoyed straight, diluted with water, or blended into juice mixes, smoothies and dressings.
Sources
- USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. PLANTS Database: Hippophae rhamnoides L. (symbol HIRH80). Accessed 24 September 2026. https://plants.usda.gov/home/plantProfile?symbol=HIRH80
- International Plant Names Index (IPNI): Hippophae rhamnoides L. Accessed 24 September 2026. https://www.ipni.org/n/323851-1
- Codex Alimentarius Commission (FAO/WHO). General Standard for Fruit Juices and Nectars (CODEX STAN 247-2005). https://www.fao.org/input/download/standards/10154/CXS_247e.pdf
- Product label, PassionBio sea buckthorn juice, 3 L bag-in-box (label for the Canadian market).
- USDA, Agricultural Research Service, National Plant Germplasm System. GRIN Taxonomy: Hippophae rhamnoides L. Accessed 24 September 2026. https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxon/taxonomydetail?id=19177
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