Also known as honey berries, haskaps are blue-purple berries that look similar to a blueberry or a saskatoon, except for their elongated – oblong shape. They are native to the northern boreal forests of the world. In the 1950’s Russia began cultivating them, and by the 1970’s Japan began commercially breeding the fruit. By the early 2000’s, the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon joined the party, and began their own research program, introducing haskaps to the prairie region.

The name Haskap comes from the Japanese name “hasukappu” which means “little present on the end of a branch”. You’ve gotta respect a name like that. It gets straight to the point. As a backyard fruit, Haskaps are gaining popularity fast in western Canada.

In Canada they are often called honey berries, but don’t let this fool you – they don’t taste like honey. When we first got them, I only knew them by that name, expecting they must taste like honey – else why the name? Trickery! They are actually an edible member of the honeysuckle family – that’s where “honey” part comes from, LOL Once you get over that misconception you can appreciate it for what it IS, not what it isn’t. If you’ve ever tasted a honeysuckle berry, you’ll identify slight hints of that taste.
Warning: most honeysuckles have poisonous berries, so don’t get any bright ideas about eating THEM.

The names have become interchangeable. Don’t be confused: HONEY BERRIES and HASKAPS are both referring to the SAME berry.

In about the year 2010, we planted our first six haskap bushes. I should clarify that it was Dan who brought them home after reading some very compelling information. I hadn’t read the same reports, so I wasn’t much interested at the time. He planted them in one of our raised beds because we didn’t have anything else prepared, and they stayed there for a couple of years—until I banished them from my limited vegetable-growing space.

By then they had doubled in size and were attractive plants, but they still hadn’t produced any berries.

The only spot we had available was beside the house on the east side. It was an area that didn’t get much attention—pretty dry and rarely watered. It received the morning sun, but not much past noon. All in all, it was one of the most inhospitable spots in our yard.

However, a couple of years after transplanting them, we noticed dark blue, oblong berries growing on the bushes. The taste was quite tart, but not unpleasant. Unfortunately, the birds noticed them too.

That was the beginning of our love affair.

I am not very patient with plants that are persnickety. I don’t have the time or inclination to fuss over those that don’t want to grow here—those that sulk and pout if they don’t get enough to drink once in a while, or complain about the cold (sissies).

The way to my heart is through strength of character. And after four years of intermittent care in a less-than-desirable location, our haskaps showed their true colours. They appreciated their new home. They had adapted to their surroundings, like true native plants. They didn’t mind the winters, had no apparent health or insect problems, and required no pruning or special care. In short, they proved themselves stronger than whatever opposing forces might threaten them.

They wanted to stay. They loved me, and they wanted to be of service. They found my soft spot. If a food producing plant wants ‘that much’ to be my friend, and if the food they offer is nutritious – I’m all in. You could say I converted to haskap-ism.

The modern name “haskap” translates to “berry of long life and good vision”, also a great name that gets right to the point.

While haskaps have grown wild since time immemorial, they only started being scientifically bred and cultivated in the 1950’s – in Siberia (appropriately). Since then, Japan and Canada joined the party, and many commercial varieties popular today were developed right here in our own backyard, at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon – improving size and taste. “U of Sask” is renowned for global leadership in water security and agricultural sciences. Go Riders!

Why We Should Grow Haskaps

The Perfect Berry for Northern Gardens

🌱 Built for Our Climate

Haskaps are incredibly hardy—thriving in temperatures as low as Zone 2. Here in Edmonton (Zone 4a), they don’t just survive—they flourish.
They are ideal for cold-climate farming.

🌸 Easy to Grow

Haskaps grow as compact shrubs and require at least two plants for cross-pollination. Once established, they are low-maintenance, need minimal pruning, and can produce fruit for up to 50 years. Haskaps are hardy, healthy, productive, and delicious—an ideal fruit for northern growers and backyard gardeners alike.

⏰ Early & Extended Harvest

Haskaps are among the earliest fruits to ripen, often ready by June. By planting multiple varieties, you can enjoy an extended harvest season.

💪 A True Superfood

These berries are nutritional powerhouses – rich in:

• Vitamins A & C
• Fiber
• Potassium
• Antioxidants
  Haskaps have a higher anthocyanin content than many other berries. Potent antioxidants that help protect eyes from oxidative damage.
  Anthocyanins are associated with enhanced night vision and improved circulation within the retinal capillaries.
  Regular consumption is believed to help fight against age-related macular degeneration and to prevent retinopathy in diabetic patients.

👀 Unique & Beautiful

Haskaps are easy to recognize:

• Oblong shape
• Deep blue skin (similar to blueberries)
• Striking crimson interior

🍇 Bold, Complex Flavour

Their flavour is unlike any other—often described as a blend of blueberry, raspberry, and black currant, with a tangy, slightly pungent edge that makes them unforgettable. Personally, I’d throw the taste of honeysuckle berries into that mix. And I might add the word “pungent”.

🍽️ Incredibly Versatile

Enjoy haskaps:

• Fresh off the bush
• In baking (pies, muffins, crisps)
• As jams, syrups, and sauces
• Juiced or added to smoothies

In short, Haskaps are doing everything in their power to earn a place in your yard and on your table.

* I am told that haskaps require two different varieties that bloom at the same time for pollination. I am not convinced that we have two or more different varieties among our six bushes. I’m pretty sure we didn’t know that when we bought them all those years ago. It seems information has evolved since then. We will buy a couple more plants this spring, and I will do my best to be certain they are different ‘enough’, while blooming at the same time. Even though our berries are growing fine, I am anxious to benefit even more with this new information.

Growing is an ongoing journey.
I’ll share my progress here so stay tuned, but in the meantime, I’d love to hear your experience with growing or using Haskaps.

Warmly,

Cindy