Guess what we stumbled upon while wandering around Sweet Bombdiggity Farms? Autumn olive trees! These resilient beauties are packed with bright red berries that are as versatile as they are delicious.
What Can You Do with Autumn Olive Berries?
1️⃣ Jams and Jellies: These tart berries make for amazing jams and jellies. Their natural pectin content means they set beautifully without needing much added sugar.
2️⃣ Fruit Leather: Blend the berries into a puree and spread it thin to make tangy fruit leather—perfect for snacking!
3️⃣ Wine and Liqueurs: Feeling adventurous? Try your hand at making autumn olive wine or liqueur for a special treat.
4️⃣ Baking: Incorporate the berries into muffins, pies, or tarts for a burst of autumn flavor.
Harvesting Tips
The berries are typically ready to harvest in late summer to early fall. Look for deep red, plump berries.
Simply shake the branch of berries into a bucket but be prepared—these trees can be quite prolific, so bring more than one bucket!
Do a taste test before you start picking. The berries should be sweet-tart. If they’re too astringent, wait a little longer.
FUN FACT: Autumn olive berries are packed with antioxidants, especially lycopene, making them a healthy addition to your diet.
Make sure to identify the tree properly! Don’t just go around eating red berries!
If you enjoyed this one, you might also like The Complete Berry Guide and Create a Beautiful, Natural Flower Arrangement for Fall – For FREE!.
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Written by
Lane and Jules Morris
Authors and University of Tennessee faculty writing from our farm in East Tennessee about gardening, the farm kitchen, faith and designing a flourishing life at any age. More about us
