Loganberry

Name: Loganberry (Rubus × loganobaccus), a hybrid between the western American blackberry (Rubus ursinus) and the European red raspberry (Rubus idaeus). It is named after its creator, James Harvey Logan.

Description

The loganberry was created by accident in 1881 in Santa Cruz, California, by the judge and amateur horticulturist James Harvey Logan. He was trying to breed a better blackberry by crossing two blackberry varieties, but a nearby old red raspberry variety called ‘Red Antwerp’ flowered at the same time, and one of the resulting seedlings turned out to be a hybrid of the two.

The plant and fruit look more like a blackberry, but the berries are a deep dark red and have a tart, tangy flavour that sits between the two parents. Loganberries became popular in the early 20th century, particularly as juice, jam and pie fruit, and they were later used as a parent in other hybrid berries such as the boysenberry.

Main nutrition value

Loganberries provide fibre and vitamin C, along with dark red anthocyanin pigments, and have a noticeable tartness.

How best to be consumed

Loganberries are tart enough that they are often cooked or sweetened, though fully ripe fruit can be eaten fresh.

1. Eat fully ripe berries fresh, when they are at their sweetest, with cream or yoghurt.
2. Bake into pies, crumbles and tarts, or cook into jam, where the tartness is an advantage.
3. Press for juice or syrup, traditionally a popular use.
4. Freeze whole for baking and sauces, since the berries are delicate and do not keep long fresh.
5. Handle gently and use quickly, since ripe loganberries are soft.

Overconsumption could cause…

Loganberries are safe in ordinary amounts, with only the usual berry considerations.

1. Digestive discomfort, such as bloating, from a large amount of fibre and fruit acid.
2. Added sugar adding up when eaten mostly as jam, pies or sweetened juice.
3. Seeds that can bother people with sensitive digestion.
4. Tooth enamel wear from frequent acid and sugar exposure.

GroupsBerriesRose family (Rosaceae)Low fatLow sodiumFresh

Related foodsRaspberryBoysenberryBlackberryStrawberryDewberryServiceberry

Wikipedia — Loganberry, used for origin, naming and history: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loganberry