The Berries Are Not Just Show Pieces
The predictability of ubiquitous raisins can be replaced by cranberries in cakes or muffins. It is well known that fresh strawberries are high in Vitamin C. Besides this there are various other berry types! Numerous types are edible, from blue-staining blueberries (that are blue-purple in colour) to raspberries, cranberries, mulberries and other juicy sweet berries.
Not all berries are sweet, some are harmful and fatal. Whenever anyone is in the wild and comes across wild berries, mushrooms and other unknown varieties it is worth not even trying them for taste. The knowledge of what is poisonous is helpful before taking a wild trial and trying out the foods we assume are safe. Generally mushrooms look appealing, they are a fungus and can be dangerous.
Mushrooms are of high moisture content, while shitake mushrooms are known to be very health supporting. Nutritious berries supply various levels of protective antioxidants. To reduce our rate of ageing and help ward away the development of disease we have blueberries. Therapeutically for urinary tract infections we have cranberries. Susceptibility to kidney stones is alleviated by taking cranberry juice. Medications for urinary and bladder problems incorporate cranberries.
Medical studies display the potency of cranberry juice to protect against some forms of kidney stones. Blueberries have also been shown to effectively protect and treat urinary tract infections. It is these blueberries and cranberries that prevent the harmful bacteria from latching onto the urinary walls. The harmful bacteria are unsupported to grow and therefore cause ill health. It happens that in different countries certain berries tend to grow and are more popular and available. Although access to fresh berries at our nearby grocery stores is not general we do have access to frozen and canned berries. As they are fragile, berries are not suitable for mass transport and storage in fresh form.
We may love the mulberries, which not only feed us but the leaves of that mulberry tree feed silk worms. We have used berries to make juice, which is an old practice and we can always find berry flavoured juices or concentrated berry juices.
It is known that bakery products of pies and tarts often include berry ingredients. Often we have the cherries on ice-cream or cakes. Another decorative piece that is nutritious and a colourful appeal! Usually preserved, red cherries are available in packages in grocery stores. Valuable iron levels are in loganberries, blackberries, black currents and raspberries. The gooseberries may be more common and have a yellow tinge. Vitamin E levels in useful levels are found in the blackberries!
All in all berries are high in fibre, minerals and vitamins relative to various other fruits. Although berries may be minor juicy fragile ball-like fruits, they do pack a punch for nutritional health.