2024 was an interesting year for the Aronia Harvest at our farm.
Harvesting machines and crews we have used in the past were not available. We have attempted to harvest berries by hand but with 5,000 bushes, it’s not feasible for us.
So…Kendall, our son, has worked with a life-long friend on a farm and vineyard. They had the “Old Braud” we hoped and prayed might do the job. The machine is a 1985 grape harvester that has been lovingly maintained to harvest grapes. At two years younger than Kendall, it was either try to use the “Old Braud” or we were S.O.L. So on a beautiful Saturday in early September we gave it a whirl. Nothing broke down, success!
We were disappointed with the total harvest, and are realizing the berries bushes are too tall and probably too old to produce a good crop. We planted our first bushes in 2008 and continued planting through 2012. It may be time for some severe pruning.
“What do you do with those berries of yours?” This is one of the most frequently asked questions we get. So when we had an opportunity to participate in the Warren County Farm Bureau’s first ever farm-to-table event in Hartford, we participated.
The meal preparation was for 300 and I’m not sure, but I bet those numbers were surpassed! We had offered Aronia juice to be mixed in with lemonade. Aronia lemonade is one of the most common (and easiest) ways we use Aronia berries. How do you make it? We have squeezed the raw berries with a garlic press and added them to the lemonade, we have run some through the Vitamix and added them to lemonade, we have added powdered Aronia, and we have used the juice we make with our steam juicer and can. All are very good and viable methods. When we use the juice, we add about. 2-3 ounces to a 2-quart pitcher of homemade lemonade.
If you’d like to see how it’s done…visit us on You Tube at Fogle Family Farm.
Woody’s Homemade Lemonade:
Juice of 2 large lemons or 3 smaller ones.
1-1/2 cups of sugar
2 quarts of cold water
Add your Aronia to taste (2-3 oz per pitcher)
It’s a very refreshing, unique way to have lemonade!
We’d talked about doing a couple of other items and decided on a dessert to offer. Because of numbers and warm temperatures, this didn’t get used last night. I was prepared to make it for 300 so you know it’s super simple. It’s a rich, refreshing way to introduce Aronia!
Strawberry Aronia Layered Dessert
Strawberry-Aronia Layered Dessert
For Cookie Crust:
36 golden sandwich cookies
1/2 cup butter, melted
Process cookies in a food processor to make fine crumbs. In a bowl, melt butter & stir in cookie crumbs until evenly moistened. Press into bottom of 9×13” pan. Set in freezer to firm while making the next layer.
Aronia Cheesecake Layer:
1 1/2 cups chopped Aronia Berries
1/2 cup butter
1 cup powdered sugar
8 oz softened cream cheese
1 1/4 cups whipped cream
Put Aronia berries in food processor (can be frozen) and pulse a few times quickly, doesn’t have to be fine. Cream together butter, powdered sugar and cream cheese. Add whipped cream to the cheesecake mixture and combine. Fold in the chopped berries. Spread mixture over the chilled crust. Refrigerate.
Strawberry Gelatin Layer:
3 oz package strawberry gelatin
1/2 cup boiling water
1 cup strawberry Greek yogurt
4 cups whipped cream
In a large bowl, combine gelatin and boiling water; stir to dissolve. Cool to room temperature. Whisk in yogurt until combined with gelatin. Add whipped cream and mix until evenly combined. Pour mixture over cream cheese layer, smoothing the top. Refrigerate 2-3 hours until set.
Top Layer:
Top with whipped cream and a berry.
If you’d like to try these and aren’t close to the local Fareways or Gateway Markets we serve, contact us at MyAroniaBerry.com and we can get berries to you.
Our recent rain and cooler weather has been fabulous for our Aronia. When we planted Aronia Melanocarpa on our farm they were just tiny plants. We planted the Viking Aronia plugs 4 feet apart in a row, with 10 feet between rows.
After a few years of weed eating between plants, they began to fill out.
Now as you look down those same rows, we can’t through with a mower and walking in there is a real challenge. The Aronia Berries are weighting down branches and filling the aisles. It’s amazing to see the changes each year.
We anticipate opening up our farm for a U Pick operation in late August and early September. Although the berries look like they are ready, we wait until their sugar content is higher and produces a better tasting berry.
We’re often asked what they taste like. It’s a dry astringent taste much like a dry wine or a tart green apple. We love them right off the bush but for others it’s an acquired taste. Be sure to check out the Aronia Berry Recipes on this site to learn what to do with your Aronia.
Once again, our little purple gems are garnering attention in the media. We’ve seen for ourselves some of the benefits noted. If you have questions, please leave us a comment.
I always forget to take pictures out in the Aronia berry fields during the winter months. It doesn’t seem possible this was just on Monday as we were going out for a walk and to do some sledding. We knew the snow wouldn’t last, but the fields are beautiful, no matter what season.
Fogles Organic Aronia Berries – A Homegrown Super Food!
