These Nordic Berries Are Antioxidant-Rich Superfoods With a Deep-Rooted History

Step aside, açaí, a new antioxidant-rich berry is on the scene, and it promises to deliver just as many, if not more, health benefits. Introducing crowberries, the latest superfood to take over health-focused circles.

While they may seem new to the market, crowberries have a deep-rooted history in cool-climate areas, specifically in the Northern Hemisphere. Native to parts of Alaska, Canada, and Iceland, these dark-hued berries, sometimes referred to as mossberries, grow on creeping evergreen shrubs and tend to bloom between May and June. Many biologists credit the plants’ widespread cultivation to migratory birds that carried and dispersed seeds while traveling from season to season.

Crowberries have long played a role in Scandinavian cultures. They’ve been used to make pies, puddings, and jams for generations. Due to their tart, acidic nature, the berries are most frequently mixed into fillings or freeze-dried into powders, instead of being consumed on their own.

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“They’re a favorite treat for foragers,” says Abra Pappa, a licensed dietitian and nutritionist (LDN), and certified nutrition specialist (CNS).

Crowberries’ superfood status

Crowberries score particularly high on the Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC) test, the primary way that researchers measure antioxidants in food. “A score of 40 is considered very high. Crowberries’ score of 94 is considered exceptional,” says Pappa.

Antioxidants prevent free radical damage in cells, which can cause a variety of imbalances and illnesses. To eat foods high in antioxidants is one of the best ways to reduce the risk of disease, says Pappa.

“Anthocyanidin [a type of water-soluble flavonoid frequently found in fruits and vegetables] is the type of antioxidant found in crowberries, which gives the berries their dark blue or black color,” says Pappa. “[They] have been well-studied for their biological benefits, including anti-cancer activity, anti-inflammatory activity, neuroprotective activity, and support [for] cardiovascular health.”

Crowberries maintain the majority of their high antioxidant content, as well as an increase in sweetness when cooked — an added benefit, as these tart berries are generally most enjoyed in juices and jams.

In addition to being high in antioxidants, crowberries are also rich in vitamin C, dietary fiber, and folate. 

Crowberries’ entry into the wellness industry

In Iceland, crowberries are referred to as krækiber and grow in the country’s many lava fields. They are frequently made into juice.

The Sky Lagoon, a geothermal lagoon located in the Icelandic town of Kópavogur, just outside the capital city of Reykjavik, recently launched Skjól, a wellness-focused spa ritual that celebrates the heritage of Icelandic bathing culture.

"“[They] have been well-studied for their biological benefits, including anti-cancer activity, anti-inflammatory activity, neuroprotective activity, and support [for] cardiovascular health.” "

Abra Pappa, a licensed dietitian and nutritionist (LDN), and certified nutrition specialist (CNS)

The ritual takes guests on an immersive journey through Iceland’s rich self-care history. It incorporates local raw materials throughout the experience, which takes place against a striking ocean backdrop. After a steam, sauna, and scrub with exfoliating oils, the ritual ends with a shot of crowberry elixir.

“Crowberries grow mostly north of the 60th degree of latitude and are one of the most common herbs in Iceland,” says Ragnheidur Haraldsdóttir, Sky Lagoon's guest experience and marketing manager. “We wanted to bring something new and exciting into the ritual and continue our path to honor Icelandic traditions and heritage.”

Crowberry juice, known locally as krækiberjasaft, is something most locals know and love. “When we asked ourselves what we could do to bring our guests closer to our traditions that is both healthy and natural, krækiberjasaft was the obvious answer,” says Haraldsdóttir.

How to find crowberries

“Many of us go berry-picking every fall and then enjoy crowberries and blueberries fresh from the hills in our skyr (similar to yogurt), porridge, and baked goods, and also use them to make jam and juice,” says Haraldsdóttir.

She says that most Icelandic people will also freeze the berries to be used throughout the year.

For those outside the Northern Hemisphere, ripe crowberries may be elusive. However, freeze-dried powders made from wild, harvested berries, such as this one, can be purchased. These can be used in smoothies, yogurt, cereal or baked goods. Those based in cooler-climate areas can try their hand at planting their own crowberry shrubs using these seeds.

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