Comments on: Desert hackberry harvest http://tucsonivores.wordpress.com/2007/11/01/desert-hackberry-harvest/ Eating Locally in Southern Arizona Tue, 20 Oct 2009 21:26:38 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Anonymous http://tucsonivores.wordpress.com/2007/11/01/desert-hackberry-harvest/#comment-59 Anonymous Sun, 20 Apr 2008 03:52:25 +0000 http://tucsonivores.wordpress.com/2007/11/01/desert-hackberry-harvest/#comment-59 I have had Desert and Canyon Hackberries in my yard the past few years. Both consist of mostly a pit, with just a thin layer of fruit around it. Where the Desert Hack has an orange-red berry, the Canyon's is orange-brown, with a smoother surface. Hack's berry has what I consider to be a sweet, tomato-like flavor. The Canyon's taste, more like yams & sweeter (tastier too). Both are excellent draws as food/folige for birds, but it would take a significant amount for preserves or the like. A similar type of plant, but native to Africa, is the Lavendar Starflower. It produces many berries which have a little more flesh to them, and are traditionally used for eating and flavoring drinks. I find it's flavor more fruity & really nice tasting. Bees go nuts for the pretty flowers and it does great here in Phoenix - almost full sun. I have had Desert and Canyon Hackberries in my yard the past few years. Both consist of mostly a pit, with just a thin layer of fruit around it. Where the Desert Hack has an orange-red berry, the Canyon’s is orange-brown, with a smoother surface. Hack’s berry has what I consider to be a sweet, tomato-like flavor. The Canyon’s taste, more like yams & sweeter (tastier too). Both are excellent draws as food/folige for birds, but it would take a significant amount for preserves or the like.
A similar type of plant, but native to Africa, is the Lavendar Starflower. It produces many berries which have a little more flesh to them, and are traditionally used for eating and flavoring drinks. I find it’s flavor more fruity & really nice tasting. Bees go nuts for the pretty flowers and it does great here in Phoenix – almost full sun.

]]> By: Cecilia http://tucsonivores.wordpress.com/2007/11/01/desert-hackberry-harvest/#comment-53 Cecilia Fri, 21 Dec 2007 10:11:49 +0000 http://tucsonivores.wordpress.com/2007/11/01/desert-hackberry-harvest/#comment-53 Hi! I was interested to read about your sampling of Desert Hackberry. Where I live in Australia we are experiencing severe drought and as a gardener I am keen on finding out about food plants that can grow in dry climates. I had previously heard that Desert Hackberries were not particularly nice to taste, but your article indicates otherwise. Are they really delicious? How does the taste compare to other berries? Thanks for an interesting page! Cecilia Hi!
I was interested to read about your sampling of Desert Hackberry. Where I live in Australia we are experiencing severe drought and as a gardener I am keen on finding out about food plants that can grow in dry climates.
I had previously heard that Desert Hackberries were not particularly nice to taste, but your article indicates otherwise. Are they really delicious? How does the taste compare to other berries?

Thanks for an interesting page!
Cecilia

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