Aronia Berries in Canada: What They Are & Where to Buy
Aronia, also called black chokeberry, is a tart, deep purple berry native to North America. Here is what it is, how it tastes, and how to buy organic aronia juice, powder and dried berries in Canada.
What Are Aronia Berries?
Aronia berries, also called chokeberries, are small, dark purple fruits from the Aronia melanocarpa shrub, a hardy plant native to eastern North America. They are tart and dry, with a deep colour that stains everything it touches.
The name “chokeberry” comes from their astringent, mouth-puckering taste when eaten fresh. That is why aronia is usually enjoyed as juice, powder or dried berries rather than by the handful.
J&J Aronia does not grow aronia itself. Our berries are grown and processed by our partner Aronia ORIGINAL, an organic producer in Germany. We import the finished products and ship them to customers across Canada.
Fresh aronia berries and homemade aronia jam
Where to Buy Aronia in Canada
Fresh aronia berries are hard to find in Canadian stores: the harvest is short and the crop here is still small. Most people buy aronia as juice, powder or dried berries, which keep for months. We stock all three in Canada, so there are no customs fees or cross-border delays for Canadian customers.
Orders over $50 ship free across Canada. Stores and cafés can apply for a wholesale account.
Shop All Aronia ProductsAronia at a Glance
| Fact | Aronia berry |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Aronia melanocarpa (black chokeberry) |
| Plant family | Rose family (Rosaceae), like apples, pears and cherries |
| Native to | Eastern North America |
| Harvest | Late summer, usually August to September |
| Taste | Tart, dry and astringent, between blackcurrant and unsweetened cranberry |
| Other names | Chokeberry, black chokeberry, aronia berry |
| Not to be confused with | Chokecherry (Prunus virginiana), a different plant |
From North America to Europe and Back
Indigenous peoples of eastern North America gathered chokeberries for generations and dried them for the winter, often mixing them with other foods. In the 20th century the shrub travelled to Europe, where it became a commercial crop in Russia and Eastern Europe. Poland is now the largest producer, and Germany has a growing organic aronia industry.
In North America, aronia is still a young crop. Because it is so cold-hardy, more Canadian gardeners and farmers are planting it. Read our aronia plant guide to learn about cultivars and growing.
How Our Aronia Products Are Made
Aronia Juice
Pressed once from organic berries. Not from concentrate, no added sugar, nothing added. Available as a 3-litre Bag-in-Box or 700 ml glass bottle.
Aronia Powder
Made from the pomace: the skins, seeds and pulp left after pressing, gently dried and finely ground. Blend it into smoothies, yogourt and baking.
Dried Aronia Berries
Whole berries, gently dried, non-sulphurized and without added sugar. Use them like raisins in muesli, trail mix and baking.
How to Enjoy Aronia
- A small glass of juice (50 to 100 ml), straight or with sparkling water and lemon.
- A tablespoon of powder in a smoothie or smoothie bowl.
- Dried berries in oatmeal, muesli or muffins.
- Juice reduced into a syrup for pancakes and yogourt, or in salad dressings.
Find recipes in easy ways to add aronia berries to your diet and our aronia smoothie recipes. For a deeper look at the berry, read our complete guide to aronia berries.
Is Aronia Safe to Eat?
Frequently Asked Questions
Are aronia berries the same as chokeberries?
Yes. Chokeberry is the common English name for Aronia melanocarpa. Note: chokeberry is not the same as chokecherry (Prunus virginiana).
What do aronia berries taste like?
Fresh aronia berries are intensely tart and astringent. As juice they are tart and full-bodied, the powder is mild and slightly earthy, and dried berries are pleasantly tart-sweet, similar to dried cranberries.
Can I grow aronia berries in Canada?
Yes. Aronia is native to North America and very cold-hardy, so it grows in much of Canada. The plant is self-fertile and low-maintenance. See our aronia plant guide.
Where are J&J Aronia products sourced from?
Our aronia products come from Aronia ORIGINAL, an organic producer in Germany. Canadian orders ship from Canada; orders to the USA ship from within the USA.
Where can I buy aronia in Canada?
Right here. We ship organic aronia juice, powder and dried berries across Canada, with free shipping on orders over $50. See all aronia products.
Try Aronia
New to aronia? The 700 ml glass bottle is an easy way to try the juice; the 3-litre Bag-in-Box is the most practical size for everyday use.
Shop Aronia Juice