Now Forage

Barberry: Small, elongated, bright red berries with sharp spines on branches. Very tart; high in vitamin C. Ripe when uniformly red. Good for jam or as a souring agent (used in Persian cooking as zereshk).

Bird cherry: Small, shiny black cherries in drooping clusters. Very astringent raw; stones dominate. Good for wine, jelly, or juice. Fully ripe when black and slightly soft.

Dog rose: Oval, bright red to orange-red hips. Ripe when uniformly red and slightly soft. Excellent for rosehip syrup. Always remove the irritating inner seeds.