Aronia isn't particularly sweet.

The fruit has a naturally tart and astringent flavor. “Astringent” is that slightly dry, puckering feeling you might recognize from strong tea or a dry red wine.

That bold flavor is one reason we love using aronia alongside naturally sweeter ingredients.

A smoothie with banana or other fruit? Great.

Mixed into yogurt? Easy.

Sprinkled into oatmeal with a little honey? Give it a try.

Part of the fun is finding your favorite way to use it.

There isn't an established official daily serving recommendation for aronia berries.

We don't think you need to turn eating local food into a complicated routine, either.

Aronia is food.

If it's new to you, start with a small amount and experiment. Grind a few berries into your breakfast, toss some into a smoothie or try them in your favorite recipe.

Find the amount and uses that work for you.

Aronia is sold as a food and isn't intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease

Aronia might be new to your pantry, but it isn't a new fruit.

It's native to North America.

Over time, aronia became especially popular in parts of Europe and developed into a commercial crop. Today, interest in growing it here at home is returning—including right here in Iowa.

And growing it requires patience.

Aronia is a perennial shrub. Once planted, it returns year after year, but meaningful harvests don't happen overnight. The shrubs need years to establish and mature.

That's one of the things we love about them.

Instead of planting a crop, harvesting it and starting completely over the following spring, we're investing in plants that can become a lasting part of our landscape.

Want the whole story?

Learn about aronia's history, how it grows, how long it takes to produce, what gives the berries their incredible purple color and why we're excited about its future in Iowa.