Cornelian cherries
At Kämnärsrätten, you can find cornelian cherry trees that students are welcome to pick from. Here you can find tips on how to use the fruit and recipes for inspiration.
Harvest season
Cornelian cherries are harvested from October to November. The fruit is ripe when it turns deep red to almost black.
Wait until the fruit is fully ripe before picking it. If harvested too early, it can taste bitter and astringent.
How to use cornelian cherries
There are many ways to enjoy cornelian cherries:
- Eat the fruit fresh when fully ripe
- Make jam (see recipe below)
- Make juice or cordial (see recipe below)
- Dry the fruit and use it to flavour tea
Health benefits
Cornelian cherries are highly nutritious. They contain vitamin C and antioxidants. The fruit has long been valued as a health food in other parts of Europe.
History and fun facts
The cornelian cherry (Cornus mas) has not played a major role in Swedish food culture, mainly because the plant has not been cultivated here for very long.
In other parts of Europe, particularly in the Balkans, the fruit has been used for generations. It has traditionally been seen as a symbol of health and strength.
A well-known saying in the Balkans is "healthy as a cornelian cherry". This reflects how highly valued the fruit has been throughout history.
Find the cornelian cherry trees
View our map showing all fruit trees in our housing areas. You can filter the map by different types of fruit.
Cornelian cherry trees can be found at Kämnärsrätten.
Recipes with cornelian cherries