Serviceberry

Amelanchier spp. · Berry

40 pairings

The serviceberry (Amelanchier spp.), also called juneberry, shadbush or sugarplum, is a small, sweet, blueberry-like pome borne on shrubs and small trees native across eastern and central North America. Faintly almond-scented from its seeds, the ripe purple fruit is mild and honeyed, and is eaten fresh or baked into the pies, muffins and jams of the American and Canadian countryside.

Picking a good onedrag

UnderripeOverripe

Just turned purpleSweet already and still firm enough to travel and hold a few days cold. The almond note is faint here, and the berries keep their shape baked into muffins and pies.Keeps best

ColourPurple coming up over a red shoulder, bloom starting

In the handFirm, gives under the thumb and springs back

Stem endStem parts with a light tug, the scar clean and dry

SmellFaint clean sweetness, more apple than berry

Reading a just ripe one. Move the slider and the rest of this page — nutrition, pairings — re-scores with it.

Preparing