Barberry

Barberry (Berberis) is a shrub whose tart berries have been used in cooking and folk medicine for centuries. The dried fruits have a distinctly sour and slightly astringent flavour and are a typical ingredient in Persian and Middle Eastern cuisine. They are added to rice dishes such as Persian pilaf or zereshk polo, as well as to meat dishes, sauces, chutneys, and teas. Thanks to their berberine content, they have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Less common in European cooking, dried barberries and barberry syrup can be found in speciality stores. Fresh berries can also be processed into jams and preserves.