Aronia Berries

Aronia Berries

Aronia is a genus of shrubs that reach 4-6 feet high (4) in the Rosaceae or rose family. Aronia plants are commonly called chokeberries due to the tannic, astringent, bitter flavor of their berries. Chokeberries are different than chokecherries, which are also in the Rosaceae family but in the Prunus genus which includes domesticated cherries and wild black cherries, plums, peaches, nectarines, almonds, apricots, and more.

There are three species of Aronia, red, black, and a hybrid of the two, the purple chokeberry. Black chokeberry, Aronia melanocarpa, is the most common and can be found (along with several cultivars) at nurseries, greenhouses, and even big box stores. Red chokeberry, Aronia arbutifolia, and purple chokeberry, Aronia prunifolia, are less common, but all three are native to the eastern United States and Canada, extending as far west as the eastern part of the Midwest. A. arbutifolia even extends into Texas in the south. See the Bonap Maps for more details (1). 

Chokeberries are often grown as ornamental plants due to their pretty foliage, particularly in the fall when the leaves turn orange and red (4). They are also a good replacement for commonly grown invasive shrubs (6). Nandinia is an invasive shrub that produces bright red berries. Red chokeberry is a good native alternative that has similar red berries. The flowers of the Aronia bushes are also useful for pollinators and the berries are eaten by birds, generally in the winter months (4).

A half-gallon jar of Aronia juice after steam juicing the berries from our black chokeberry bushes. The dark color is from the anthocyanin-rich skin of the berries.

​We planted two black chokeberries several years ago. We occasionally pick the berries to use in smoothies or our wine, in limited numbers due to their bitter taste. This fall (2024) we are experimenting with 100% Aronia wine, which we will likely use to blend into our Marquette or elderberry wine. You can also buy Aronia juice, wine, jam, and other commercial products made with Aronia berries.

​Chokeberries prefer full sun and moist soil (4). Although Aronia bushes can tolerate drier soil, their berry yield may be lower under these conditions. They are self-fertile so you only need to plant one bush to produce berries (4). Aronia bushes grow well in zones 3-8 (4) and we have had no trouble with winter die-off in zone 4b. We have had a problem with deer eating our plants but as long as you protect the plants when young and the browsing isn’t too severe the plant recovers well. We try to reduce the deer pressure by spraying our bushes with Liquid Fence, which works if you apply it consistently, particularly after hard rains. Rabbits are also supposed to enjoy chewing on the branches, but we have very few rabbits on our property due to high predator pressure. 

​Aronia berries are well known for their high levels of anthocyanins, which gives them their dark color. They have some of the highest levels of anthocyanins known in plants. Anthocyanins can also be found in other berries such as cranberries, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries, and purple vegetables such as purple cauliflower, red cabbage, and eggplant (technically a fruit). In addition to anthocyanins, Aronia berries also contain many other polyphenols.

Foods containing polyphenols, such as anthocyanins, are considered to be health foods due to their antioxidant properties. The berries purportedly help with various cardiovascular diseases (2), diabetes (3), hypertension, cancer, etc. However, as with most nutritional and supplement studies, it is difficult to prove that antioxidants in fruits and vegetables are directly beneficial to the human body. One study that reviewed several randomized clinical trials that looked at berry polyphenols found no significant effect on the gut microbiota or high blood pressure (5). Regardless, I believe most medical doctors would agree that increasing brightly colored fruits and vegetables in the American diet is a good idea.

References and Resources

1. Kartesz, J.T., The Biota of North America Program (BONAP). 2015. North American Plant Atlas. (http://bonap.net/napa). Chapel Hill, N.C. [maps generated from Kartesz, J.T. 2015. Floristic Synthesis of North America, Version 1.0. Biota of North America Program (BONAP). (in press)]. https://bonap.net/Napa/TaxonMaps/Genus/State/Aronia
2. Kasprzak-Drozd K, Oniszczuk T, Soja J, Gancarz M, Wojtunik-Kulesza K, Markut-Miotła E, Oniszczuk A. The Efficacy of Black Chokeberry Fruits against Cardiovascular Diseases. Int J Mol Sci. 2021 Jun 18;22(12):6541. doi: 10.3390/ijms22126541. PMID: 34207143; PMCID: PMC8235034.
3. Olechno E, Puścion-Jakubik A, Zujko ME. Chokeberry (A. melanocarpa (Michx.) Elliott)-A Natural Product for Metabolic Disorders? Nutrients. 2022 Jun 28;14(13):2688. doi: 10.3390/nu14132688. PMID: 35807867; PMCID: PMC9268775.
4. Prairie Nursery. Black Chokeberry. https://www.prairienursery.com/black-chokeberry-aronia-melanocarpa.html
5. Sweeney M, Burns G, Sturgeon N, Mears K, Stote K, Blanton C. The Effects of Berry Polyphenols on the Gut Microbiota and Blood Pressure: A Systematic Review of Randomized Clinical Trials in Humans. Nutrients. 2022 May 28;14(11):2263. doi: 10.3390/nu14112263. PMID: 35684063; PMCID: PMC9182664.
6. Wild Ones. Georgia Piedmont. Native Alternatives to Pesky Invasive Plants. https://georgiapiedmont.wildones.org/native-alternatives-to-pesky-invasive-plants/