LITTLE RED WITH BIG POWER

The name"barberry" (Berberis vulgaris) comes from the word "Berber".

Tribes of Berberslive in the north of Africa. In honor of which this name was given.

Shrub growing up to 4 metres high. The leaves are small oval, 2–5 centimetres long and 1–2centimetres broad, with a serrated margin. The flowers are yellow, 4–6 millimetres across, produced on 3–6 centimetres long panicles in late spring. The fruit is an oblong red berry 7–10 millimetres  long and 3–5 millimetres broad, ripening in late summer or autumn; they are edible but very sour, and rich in Vitamin C. Barberry is native to central and southern Europe, northwest Africa and western Asia. It is also grows in northern Europe, including the British Isles and Scandinavia, and North America.

Barberry is widely used in cooking various dishes of Central Asia and the Caucasus, and most of all barberry is known as seasoning for pilaf. From fruits of barberry prepare jam, juice, syrup, jelly, marmalade.