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Haskap U-Pick Orchards in Quebec in 2024, by area of state

Keep in mind, not all areas of any state, nor even every state, have haskaps orchards that are open to the public. If you know of any others, please tell us using the add a farm form!

These are the areas of the state that have haskap orchards to pick haskaps. Click on the area closet you!

 

Haskaps and Honeyberries

Haskap Picking Tips, Recipes and Information

Haskaps

What are they, where to find them and how to use them

Haskaps are similar to, but  not related to blueberries, but they are oblong berries that are blue! They are actually related to honeysuckle,(Lonicera caerulea) and go by other names. Haskaps and honeyberries commonly considered to be the same plant, but while they are related and both are found in the honeysuckle family (Caprifoliaceae) they are divided into different subspecies. But unless you are a scientist, you'll probably never know the difference. .

Taste and description

  • They are edible with an unusual sweet and tart flavor, described as a cross between raspberries and blueberries. The flavor is varies, from sour to bland to more sweet and sometimes like huckleberries.
  • The berries range in size from less than half a gram to nearly two grams.
  • They are shrubs that typically grow to a height of 3 to 5 feet (1 to 1.5 m.). The plant produces a 1-inch (2.5 cm.), oblong, blue-colored berry.
  • They are said to have a higher level of antioxidants and Vitamin C than blueberries
  • Each plant produces 1 lb to 10 lbs of berries annually and the plants live 50 years plus.
  • Since they are resistant to both disease and pests, they are ideal for organic gardening

Where are Haskaps grown?

Haskaps are native to cool temperate Northern Hemisphere areas such as Alaska, the northern Midwestern states, Canada, Japan, Russia, and Poland. Of course, they may also be grown in similar climates to which they are not native. They are very cold-hardy and can survive temperatures down to -55 degrees Fahrenheit (-48 C.).

You can get your own haskap plants to grow in your yard here.

Popular Varieties of Haskaps

  • Blue Lightning - from Russia, a heavy producer with dark blue berries that are sweet and tart,
  • Borealis - considered to be one of the best tasting haskap varieties with large fruit
  • Indigo Gem - a smaller, more tart variety, also a very heavy producer, but it is susceptible to powdery mildew.
  • Kamchatka - also from Russia, this variety produces large, dark blue fruit in heavy crops.
  • Tundra - used in commercial production because the fruit is very firm and the plant is resistant to powdery mildew .

To find farms with Haskaps (also called Honeyberries!) see below:

 

Alaska

Minnesota

Missouri

Pennsylvania

Canada

Alberta

British Columbia

Manitoba

Ontario

Saskatchewan

 

When are Haskaps ripe?

Haskaps are ripe in the early Spring, far ahead of blueberries and Saskatoons.  Keep in mind, the actual ripening dates and even the order can vary considerably from farm to farm, year to year, state to state; so take this as general order!

Other names for Haskaps

  • honeyberries
  • blue-berried honeysuckle,
  • Fly honeysuckle,
  • deepblue honeysuckle, and
  • sweetberry honeysuckle

Berries that are similar to Haskaps

  • Aroniaberries - also callled Chokecherries
  • Bilberries - smaller cousins of the blueberry in Europe
  • Blaeberry in Scotland and Ireland, smaller, intense flavor; like a bilberry-
  • Huckleberries - larger blueberries, a bit less sweet, common to the northern US and Canada
  • Saskatoons - Canadians know about Saskatoons. They are native to western Canada and the northwest of the U.S.. They are larger, a bit less sweet; almost identical to a Huckleberry, with a hint of apple.
  • Serviceberries - another name for Saskatoons
  • Whorlberry or whortleberry  grown in the United Kingdom.  Much like a bilberry.


Haskap Recipes - Cooking and Canning Haskaps

Being similar in many ways to blueberries, most blueberry recipes work well with Haskaps.

Canning and freezing Haskaps: Blueberry jelly


Other Local Farm Products (Honey, Horses, Milk, Meat, Eggs, Etc.)
(NOT pick-your-own, unless they are also listed above)