Haskap is a small, oval berry often compared to an elongated blueberry. Also known as honeyberry or camerise in French, haskap is a lesser known crop that is rapidly gaining in popularity across North America.
While the outside of the haskap is a blue, similar to that of a blueberry, the flesh of the berry is an intense dark crimson. Unlike some other berries, the haskap’s very small seeds are practically imperceptible. The juice is the same stunning crimson as the flesh.
Haskap has a very unique and complex flavour often associated with that of blackcurrant, blueberry and raspberry. Others are reminded of hints of blackberry, nectarine, plum and rhubarb. Either fresh or processed, haskap is bursting with unique flavours that vary from one cultivar to the next.
Ever since the first bushes were planted in Québec in 2007, haskap has been rapidly gaining the attention of producers and processors. Not only is the berry delicious and rich in antioxidants, but it has certain unique characteristics that make it an excellent choice for our northern climate:
The vast majority of the haskap cultivars grown in Québec descend from Dr. Bob Bors’ research program at the University of Saskatchewan. Starting in the early 2000s, Dr. Bors, a fruit tree specialist, began work on developing improved haskap cultivars.
In haskap orchards in Québec there are several cultivars that can be found in greater numbers. These include: Aurora, Berry Blue, Boreal Beast, Boreal Blizzard, Boreal Beauty, Honeybee and Indigo Gem.
The plant (Lonicera caerulea) is native to the more northern regions of the boreal forests of Asia, Europe and North America. It can also be found in Japan where it has been used for hundreds of years.
It was not until the 1990s that North Americans began hybridization work with Lonicera caerulea. Two noteworthy programs being those headed by Dr. Maxine Thompson of Oregon State University and Dr. Bob Bors of the University of Saskatchewan.
Lonicera caerulea can be found growing wild in several Canadian provinces though its presence is not prevalent. It is not a dominant species and can be found only by the keen observer.
Several names are used around the world to designate Lonicera caerulea:
In the case of Québec and the rest of Canada, the names “camerise” and “haskap” are those most commonly used when referring to Lonicera caerulea.