Dried Barberries

1/2 pound - Washington

Fresh Dried Barberries
grown here in Washington!

With its long history of culinary uses, this little berry has been overlooked for far too long.

The barberry, with a sharp-ish, sometimes sour, almost citrus flavor, is best known and most used in West Asia, particularly in Iran, where the berry is known as Zereshk. In that part of the world, barberries are often used in pilafs and in a chicken and rice dish called Zereshk Polo.

In Eastern Europe and Russia, barberries are used as an integral ingredient in making jam; they are naturally high in pectin and will firm up a jam very nicely, all the while adding their own flavor.

Plus, this little berry packs some serious healthy goodness: fiber, vitamin C, iron, zinc, and copper! Several studies indicate that a compound called berberine found in barberries can lower blood sugar, improve cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and contribute to gut health.

Unlike some barberries, which can be quite sour-tart when eaten on their own, these dried barberries from Washington State are super-fresh and truly edible right out of the package – this is subjective, of course! – and very suitable for recipes calling for raisins, currants, or dried cranberries.

warning: Dried Barberries contain Barbarine. Pregnant women should not use barberry because it may stimulate uterine contractions. The safety of barberry in nursing women and children is unknown.

THIS PRODUCT IS PACKAGED IN A FACILITY THAT ALSO HANDLES WHEAT FLOUR, SOY FLOUR, TREE NUTS, PEANUTS, CHOCOLATE (MILK), AND OTHER ALLERGENS