From our orchard to your table · Quebec
Discover haskap berries
What is a haskap berry?
Haskap berries are small blue berries with purple flesh, grown on a cold-hardy shrub. Enjoy them fresh or in sweet and savoury recipes.
The essentials
At a glance
- Flavour
- Fruity, sweet and tart, with nuances that vary by variety and ripeness.
- Season
- One of Quebec’s first summer berries; harvest timing varies with weather and ripeness.
- Ways to enjoy
- Fresh, with yogurt or in a smoothie, in desserts and in selected savoury dishes.
A flavour to discover
What do haskap berries taste like?
Haskap berries combine fruity, sweet and tart flavours. The balance varies with variety and ripeness: some are sweeter, others more tangy. Fully ripe berries are generally more enjoyable to eat.
Their intensely purple flesh brings striking colour to smoothies, yogurt, sauces and desserts.
The best way to discover their flavour? Taste them at the orchard during the season, following our team’s guidance.
Discover pick-your-own
When are haskap berries ripe?
In Quebec, haskap berries are among the first berries of summer. Harvest timing depends on the variety, location and weather.
Blue skin alone does not mean a berry is ripe. The fruit may change colour before developing its full flavour. At the orchard, follow our guidance to choose rows that are ready for picking and handle the berries gently.
Before visiting, check the seasonal information and contact us for the day’s conditions.
How should you store haskap berries?
Haskap berries are delicate. Refrigerate them promptly after picking, or freeze them to enjoy later. Our guide covers the steps for preparing and storing your harvest.
Read our storage guideHaskap, honeyberry and blue honeysuckle
Why does this berry have several names?
In Canada, haskap is the common English industry name. In the United States and the United Kingdom, honeyberry and edible blue honeysuckle are also widely used. In French Canada, the fruit is called camerise and the shrub camérisier.
These names may refer to related selections of Lonicera caerulea, but cultivars, breeding backgrounds and bloom periods differ. When buying plants, check the exact cultivar and its pollination compatibility.
Haskap or honeyberry: understand the namesHaskap berries and blueberries: what’s the difference?
Haskap berries and blueberries are two different fruits. Their shape, flesh, flavour and harvest season help tell them apart, with variations by variety and region.
Explore the differencesWhat is the nutritional value of haskap berries?
Haskap berries contain fibre and plant compounds, including the anthocyanins that give them their purple colour. Their composition varies with variety and growing conditions, and processed products have their own composition.
Learn about haskap nutrition11 varieties in our orchard
Explore some of our haskap varieties. The varieties ready for picking depend on their ripeness when you visit.
Frequently asked questions about haskap
Are haskap and honeyberry the same fruit?
The names often refer to related edible selections of Lonicera caerulea. Haskap is common in Canada, while honeyberry is more common in some U.S. and U.K. sources. Cultivar names matter for growing and pollination.
Can haskap berries be eaten raw?
Yes. Ripe berries can be rinsed and eaten fresh. Their flavour varies with cultivar and ripeness.
Why are some haskap berries very tart?
Cultivar, ripeness and seasonal conditions influence the balance of sweetness and acidity. Blue skin alone does not always mean full ripeness.
Where can I pick haskap in Quebec?
During the season, Camerise St-Gabriel offers U-pick in Saint-Gabriel-de-Brandon, Lanaudière. Always check harvest conditions before travelling.
Saint-Gabriel-de-Brandon · Lanaudière
Haskap berries at Camerise St-Gabriel
Our orchard is in Saint-Gabriel-de-Brandon, in the mountains of northern Lanaudière. We grow our haskap berries without pesticides or herbicides, surrounded by nature.
During the season, come discover the fruit, take your time picking and enjoy the outdoors together. We will be happy to welcome you and answer your questions.
How can you enjoy and cook with haskap berries?
Enjoy rinsed berries on their own or in yogurt. Try them in smoothies, muffins and fruit crisps, or explore a few savoury pairings.
Explore haskap serving ideas and recipes