The chokecherry, or dark chokecherry, is a plant known as the black cranberry. This fruit, which ripens in the fall, is high in vitamins, especially vitamin C, antioxidants, and tannins, which are important for our bodies and boost our immune system. This is especially true during the fall season, when the immune system is most tested. Black cranberries are also high in iron, which has been shown to have a positive impact on colon cancer, cardiovascular disease, chronic inflammation, gastric disorders, and liver failure.

Processing of black cranberry fruit
The fruit of this tree (shrub) can be processed in various ways. The most common processing is in the form of tea. The fruit can be dried by heating, in a dryer, or in an oven. Dried fruit is covered with hot water. The proportion of dried fruit for a proper infusion is 2 teaspoons per 250 ml of hot water. Another way to use the fruit is to make a homemade syrup (juice). Its preparation requires 1 liter of freshly picked blackcurrant fruit, preferably crushed or mashed. Pour 1 liter of boiling water over the fruit, add 1 sliced lemon and 1 teaspoon of citric acid, and let sit for about 12 hours. Drain and make a syrup with the remaining liquor. To prevent the loss of valuable vitamins, add only 1 kg of sugar and cook with the strained liquor until the sugar dissolves. When the sugar is dissolved, bottle the syrup and add 10 ml of rum for preservation to prolong the life of the syrup. Another way to make the syrup is to put the berries in a preserving jar (ideally one with a large capacity), dust with sugar, and chill. We usually put a handful of freshly picked and washed berries and sprinkle them with sugar. Once the jars are full, we place them in a sunlit area to release the vitamins and other nutrients stored in the black cranberries. Black cranberries can be made into marmalade, added to tea, or roasted with sugar. Their aromatic flavor provides a wealth of ways to process the fruit.

The fruit of the aronia tree (shrub) ripens in the fall and can be eaten by birds. Pruning is important for all trees and thus for chokeberries. Therefore, it is best to combine the two when harvesting fruit. Both harvesting and pruning should be done, and branches that have become too thick should be pruned. Pruning should be kept to a minimum to avoid damaging the plant. It can also protect the fruit from unwanted visitors. If the shape of the tree or shrub permits, the fruit can be protected from the wind by covering it with a curtain or breathable covering. This would allow the fruit to ripen for a longer period of time without fear of losing healthy fruit.