Okay, so what the heck are NERGI® berries anyways – ammirite? Well, they’re a recent discovery in my world and I couldn’t be more excited that these bite-sized fruits are new to the Canadian market! Packed with antioxidants, NERGI® berries are sweet, but slightly tart and have a great nutrient profile.
Their taste is a cross between a grape and a kiwi – like a kigrape? a grapiwi? I mean, I really should have been on the marketing team while they were naming them… obviously. All jokes aside, they’re loaded with vitamin C & E, alongside over 3 grams of fibre per 100 grams. Making these lovely fresh fruits a healthy snack for those of you who are looking to boost your energy, keep your tummy in check, regulate your immunity and have your skin looking flawless – to name a few!
With careful cultivation and natural pollination, they’re grown in the orchards of small farms in France, Portugal, Italy and Spain and produced without the use of GMOs, using 100% natural and environmentally-friendly methods. These little gems are available once a year in store from late-August to mid-November, meaning you can now find them for the first time in Canada at select Loblaws, Zehrs Markets, Sobeys and Fortinos and speciality grocers (for roughly $4.00 CAD/package).
So, how do you eat them? Well, here are some pointers:
- Berries are to be eaten when soft to the touch.
- The marks and blemishes on the skin are completely natural and safe to consume.
- Any hard stems should be removed.
- NERGI® berries should be kept in a consistent temperature (either refrigerated or at room temperature). Frequent temperature changes will affect the ripening process.
- After a light rinse, NERGI® berries can be popped into your mouth whole, or you can cut them.
Listen, they’re delicious on their own, but I decided to get creative and show you how to use them as a part of your daily routine by adding them to even more fibre, some protein and those important healthy fats, as a great way to start your day (or to end your day – cause you’re an adult and you can do whatever you want).
NERGI® Berry Smoothie Bowl
Ingredients
5-6 NERGI® Berries, stems removed
1 Cup Coconut Milk
1/2 Frozen Banana
Handful of Spinach
1 tsp Almond Butter (or nut butter of choice)
1 tsp Hemp Hearts
Pinch Cinnamon
Method
Add all ingredients into a high powered blender and blend until smooth. Add more liquid, if needed. Pour into a bowl and you can top with additional NERGI® Berries, hemp hearts and shredded coconut – or any of the other ingredients – whatever makes it pretty!
Enjoy!
Photos & Recipe: Catherine Sugrue
1 Comment
I’m positive I just saw them at Sobey’s in Nova Scotia as arctic kiwis.