And although it comes from distant Asia, it is also grown in Slovakia, even in home gardens.
It has a flavor somewhat similar to that of wild blueberries.
It has excellent uses in the kitchen and is also very healthy.
Despite its growing popularity, there are still people who have never heard of it, so in this article we will reveal more thanks to the haps portal.
And the season has just begun.
We have it under our noses, but not everyone has heard of it.
Some of you may have already guessed that it is the kamčatský juniper, also called kamčatská blueberry.
It is a fruit that is not yet among the most loved in Slovakia, but knowledge of its existence has been gradually spreading for several years.
Fruit of eternal youth
According to some experts, it is the healthiest berry we can have on the table.
The cultivation of this berry does not require the use of pesticides, so the fruit is free of chemical treatments.
In addition, these berries are rich in vitamins:
-group B vitamins, which influence the correct functioning of the nervous system;
-vitamin A, which improves the appearance of skin, nails and hair, also has a good effect on vision;
-vitamin C, which supports the immune system in fighting infections.
And this is just the beginning of the precious properties of this fruit.
Kamčatské blueberries are also a source of:
-iron
-magnesium
-phosphorus
-silicon
They also contain phenolic compounds, which, although they sound mysterious, play a very important role.
These are effective antioxidants that eliminate harmful free radicals.
They are used, among other things, in the treatment of cancer, in the prevention of metastases and infections, and in the treatment of some diseases of the digestive system, as they stimulate the liver to produce bile.
Phenolic compounds also have anti-inflammatory properties.
Since we are talking about antioxidants, it is also worth dedicating a few words to epicatechins, which prevent the development of diabetes, cancer and brain strokes.
It is no coincidence that the kamčatský juniper is called the fruit of eternal youth.
Its cultivation is so simple that you can even do it in your own garden.
An excellent flavour!
The fruits are very juicy and have an intense colour.
The old varieties were known for their typical slightly bitter tones, which disappeared during maturation.
The new modern varieties have practically no bitter tones anymore, they excel with a pleasant sweet taste similar to that of blueberries, thanks to which kamčatský juniper is also called kamčatská blueberry.
It’s best to eat them fresh as much as possible.
But they are also excellent for unbaked cakes or desserts.
The season has already started
The kamčatský juniper comes from north-eastern Asia, but is also grown in Slovakia.
It is a shrub very suitable for cultivation in the home garden.
The only aspect to pay attention to is the correct pruning of branches that are too thick.
This will allow the fruits to ripen well.
Furthermore, the shrubs resist frost and drought well.
They are also resistant to plant diseases and pests.
It is a long-lived shrub.
The first fruits appear at the beginning of May and the plant produces rather early.
The fruits ripen gradually, at different times, so the harvest takes place in several stages.
The ripe fruits are elongated and have a color similar to that of blueberries.
However, this fruit has a disadvantage.
It provides such a poor yield that only a few venture to plant new plots.
If you come across one, definitely try it!
