Content
- Are honeysuckle edible?
- Many poisonous honeysuckle species
- Find Edible Heckenkirchen
- Maibereren fresh or cooked edible
- Collect only known berries of wild hedgerows
- Tips
There are both edible and poisonous honeysuckle
Are honeysuckle edible?
The berries of honeysuckle belonging to the family of honeysuckle plants are for the most part not edible. This is particularly true for the red honeysuckle, which is particularly popular for its colorful berries. Not poisonous, but edible is the Blue Honeysuckle.
Many poisonous honeysuckle species
Be careful with red honeysuckle (Lonicera xylosteum). The berries contain the bitter substance Xylostein, which is especially dangerous for children.
These berries, which look a bit like small cherries, should never be collected and used in the kitchen.
Find Edible Heckenkirchen
Blue honeysuckle (Lonicera caerulea) are not poisonous in contrast to the red varieties. For most, collecting is not worth it.
They have little or no aroma and leave an unpleasant slimy feeling in the mouth.
Some of the blue varieties are sweetish with a very bitter aftertaste. These honeysuckle cherries are at best suitable for the production of fruit brandies.
Maibereren fresh or cooked edible
There are now several blue honeysuckle varieties that are quite tasty. They are also called Maibereren and offered under the botanical name Lonicera Kamchatka in the garden shop.
Blue honeysuckle ripen from June and are recognizable by their unusual shape and a slightly velvety surface. These are double berries that can grow up to two centimeters in size.
The berries taste aromatic sweet and are fresh from the shrub enjoyed delicious. But they can also be used to make goodies in the kitchen:
Collect only known berries of wild hedgerows
If you go in search of honeysuckle to eat, you should first know exactly whether the species is poisonous or not.
As soon as you have little doubt, you better avoid collecting the fruits.
In case of doubt, the local conservation organizations help to determine the berries found.
Tips
The red honeysuckle is poisonous for humans, while birds tolerate the berries well. In addition, the branches provide a good shelter for the feathered gardeners. If there are no children or pets in the garden, it makes sense from an ecological point of view to also plant red honeysuckle.