Chokecherry vs Chokeberry [+Are These Berries Safe to Eat, or Not?]
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Chokecherry vs chokeberry! What’s the difference?
By some cruel (and confusing) twist of fate, we have two similar plants – with nearly identical names! One of these bears edible fruits, while the other can cause toxicity or even death in your farm animals.
So – choose carefully!
If you’re a foraging fan, you’ll want to make sure you get the correct berries. So, here is our quick guide to chokecherry vs chokeberry.
Chokeberries Vs. Chokecherries – What’s The Main Difference?
Chokeberries and chokecherries are distinct plants with different characteristics and uses. Chokeberries (Aronia) are safe to eat and are considered nutritious superfoods due to their superb antioxidant content. They’re most famous for use in jams, jellies, wines, and juices.
In contrast, chokecherries (Prunus virginiana) require caution! While the fruit flesh is edible, the seeds, leaves, and bark contain cyanide and can be toxic in large amounts.
When correctly processed (e.g., cooked into syrups or jellies), chokecherries taste surprisingly good. While still tart and slightly bitter, their flavor is generally less astringent than that of chokeberries.
Both plants are native to North America and belong to the Rosaceae family but differ in appearance, with chokecherries growing taller and having distinct flower formations.
Chokeberries – The Complete Guide
Of the two plants we are comparing today, the chokeberry is the one that bears edible fruit. Unfortunately, the names are so similar that it can be tricky to remember which is which!
The easiest way I find is to think of the chokeberry as a choke-belly – which is where we want them to end up!
Are Aronia Berry and Chokeberry the Same?
Yes! The deciduous shrub of the Rosaceae family, which bears chokeberries, is called Aronia melanocarpa. You may also hear chokeberries referred to as Aronia berries or black chokeberries. In other words – Aronia berries are chokeberries – and they grow on the Aronia melanocarpa plant. They’re the same berry!
How to Identify a Chokeberry?
Chokeberries are small purple berries about the size of a pea. Each berry grows on its stem, clustered together in groups. The groups are around 2 – 20 chokeberries. The bush itself is thornless, and the leaves point with a serrated edge. At harvest time, the leaves will be turning a golden red color. Chokeberry shrubs are famous for enduring well into winter and for offering forage for birds and other animals.
If you are unsure if you have a chokeberry or chokecherry, the easiest way to find out is to crush one of the berries. The edible one – the Aronia berry – will have several tiny seeds inside. Chokecherries, on the other hand, have a single pit. Just like plums and cherries!
Read More – Can You Grow Raspberries and Blackberries Together?
Why Is It Called Chokeberry?
Chokeberries might be edible, but that doesn’t mean that they taste good! Chokeberries are very dry and astringent and do not taste good in their raw state. Usually – they’re used to make jams, syrups, pies, and baked goods. Making jam is one of the best ways to preserve your chokeberry fruit over the long winter months. Chokeberry and wild fruit jam taste heavenly spread on homemade bread, toast, pancakes, or waffles. Don’t forget a dash of butter!
Are Chokeberries Poisonous to Humans?
Chokeberries are not poisonous to humans, and they’re one of my favorite superfoods! They contain high levels of Anthocyanins, an antioxidant compound most famously found in blueberries.
Chokecherries – Everything You Need to Know!
Chokecherry is the common name for a plant known as prunus virginiana. This wild-growing bush comes from the same family as other stone fruits, such as plums and cherries.
How Can You Tell a Chokecherry from a Chokeberry?
Chokecherries are reddish-purple and resemble a tremendously small cherry. Unlike chokeberries, chokecherry fruits grow in clusters. They usually drop from the plant by mid-fall, whereas you will still find chokeberry fruits on Aronia bushes in mid-winter. When crushed, the chokecherry fruit contains just a single stone. The stone is the easiest way to compare chokecherries to chokeberries. Chokeberries contain multiple tiny seeds. (Around 3-5 seeds.)
These organic and fresh-frozen chokeberries are an easy way to upgrade your next fruit smoothie with boatloads of antioxidants! Perfect for adding to salads, cereals, blends, or yogurts.
Are Chokecherries Toxic to Horses and Cattle?
Yes! Absolutely! Chokecherry seeds and leaves contain cyanide and are highly toxic and sometimes fatal to horses. Your herd animals, cattle, and especially horses should avoid chokecherries at all costs. The cyanide found in chokecherries makes it so your horse cannot breathe or process oxygen. Sadly, your horse may suddenly die only minutes or hours after consuming a large number of chokecherries – or leaves.
Are Chokecherries Edible for Humans?
Parts of chokecherries may cause toxicity in humans! The stems, leaves, and buds contain cyanide. Wilted chokecherry leaves are especially famous for high toxicity. We suggest you do not eat them. Whether black chokecherries are edible seems to be a matter of some controversy! We are sure that the chokecherry stone (pit) is not edible. It contains highly toxic hydrocyanic acid.
Some foragers suggest that you can eat the pit if it has been cooked or dried, but, quite honestly, we suggest you do not take the risk!
Read More – 7 DIY Strawberry Planter Ideas!
Can You Eat Chokecherry Fruit?
Cooked chokecherry fruit is safe for humans – and is best when they are very ripe. Otherwise, they’re tremendously bitter. You must remove the pit before eating the chokecherry. These tiny berries are very astringent and need plenty of sugar to bring out the flavor. For this reason, they are perfect in puddings, jams, and compotes. Remember to cook the fruit – and never eat the pits.
What Are the Benefits of Chokecherry?
They taste great in jams and on toast! We also believe that chokecherries may also contain antioxidants, although further research is required to validate this. Like all berries, they are a good source of Vitamin C, and we also believe that they may have health benefits for gastrointestinal disorders.
Are Chokecherries Poisonous to Dogs?
Yes. Absolutely! The toxins in chokecherry plants are poisonous to dogs, cats, cattle, and other animals. So, if you have one of those dogs who like to eat anything, keep him away from wild chokecherry bushes! Luckily, the bitter taste of chokecherries means that most dogs will not consume them in large enough quantities to cause poisoning.
Also – the cyanide in chokecherries concentrates around the leaves and the buds. We don’t believe your dog is likely to consume many chokecherry leaves. That’s why horses, cattle, goats, and grazing animals are at higher risk of chokecherry poisoning.
Chokecherry Jam And Syrup Recipes
We’ve searched for the best chokecherry jam and jelly recipes. We found a few that you might like.
1. Chokecherry Syrup Recipe And Jelly Recipe
We found two yummy recipes on the University of Minnesota Extension website. One is for a super-sweet chokecherry jelly, and the other is for chokecherry syrup. (Perfect for homemade pancakes and waffles!)
Read the chokecherry syrup and jelly recipes here.
2. Classic Chokecherry Jelly
Here’s another classic chokecherry jelly recipe we found on the South Dakota State University’s website. They also share some helpful
Grab their classic chokecherry recipe here.
3. Homemade Jam Using Various Fruits
Here’s a fun collection of delicious fruit jellies you can make at home. You’ll also find recipes using other wild fruits, like raspberries and tart cherries.
Check out the wild mixed fruit jelly recipes here.
Conclusion
If you’ve ever read Into the Wild, then you realize that choosing the wrong forage to eat is a deadly mistake!
That’s why we always advise that you tread carefully, double, and triple check.
Luckily – chokeberries and chokecherries are easy to recognize.
- Look for the chokeberries dark-purple color – and they belong in your belly. Remember that they contain several (around 3-5) seeds. They also taste great on waffles, and on toast!
- Chokecherries are lighter – and contain a single pit. Try to avoid chokecherries – they are toxic for horses, farm animals, and cattle!
We thank you for reading this guide.
If you have more tips for distinguishing between chokeberries vs. chokecherries – please let us know.
Your tips could help a fellow homesteader, or an animal!
Thanks again for reading.
Have a great day!
Want to try chokecherry without any fuss? Drizzle this non-GMO wild chokecherry syrup over your next batch of crispy waffles or pancakes! The syrup is 100% made in Montanna, USA.
I have eaten wild chokecherries (single pit) in the past in Minnesota as a small child and as an adult. I went to great lengths to obtain some plants for my backyard here in Reno, Nev. I never swallow the pits except possibly by accident. I LOVE the flavor of the fruit. When mine are ripe, I gobble them up by the mouthfuls. The problem that I have is that, when the robins discover that they are ripe, they’ll clean out my entire 15 tree patch in about 2 days. What I’m puzzled about is that my neighbor has a tree that resembles my chokecherries but I’m not sure that it isn’t poisonous. I notice, in this website, that the chokeberry leaf is serrated and tomorrow morning, after it quits raining, I’ll take a look at the leaves and at the fruits to determine whether it is a chokeberry or something that looks like chokecherries and chokeberries. Chokecherries grow wild around here too. In Truckee, California, not far from here, there is an espresso and sandwich shop called, “Wild Cherries” that I frequent after skiing. On one of my visits, I came in the door and announced, “I want a wild cherry”. One of the women working there responded, “well, we’re wild!” and they all broke into laughter! I don’t get it.
Hey Ken!
Thank you for sharing your delightful experience with chokecherries and your neighbor’s mysterious tree! It’s fascinating how nature provides diverse fruits, each with its quirks and flavors.
As for your neighbor’s tree, it’s wise to be cautious. Identifying plants can be tricky, especially when they resemble each other. The serrated leaves you noticed are indeed a clue. When the rain clears, closely examining the leaves and fruits will help determine whether it’s a chokeberry or something else. (Feel free to send us a photo, and we’ll try to identify it!)
And that story about the “Wild Cherries” espresso and sandwich shop in Truckee, California—priceless! Sometimes, humor is as wild as the fruit itself. 😄
Enjoy those mouthfuls of ripe chokecherries, and may your neighbor’s tree reveal its secrets soon! 🍒🌿
I appreciate your engagement with nature and your curiosity about the mysterious tree. If you have any more stories or thoughts, feel free to share—I’m all ears (or should I say, all cherries)! 🌟
Cordially,
Mike D