Tag: Sloes

While both fruits appear as small, dark blue berries, their similarities end there. Sloes, the fruit of the thorny blackthorn bush, are intensely tart and inedible raw, whereas cultivated blueberries are a sweet, popular snack. This guide will explain everything you need to know to tell them apart with confidence.

Over 5,300 years ago, a human mummy was found with blackthorn berries near his remains, suggesting a long history of human consumption. The deep purple fruits, also known as sloes, can indeed be eaten by humans, but not straight from the bush. Their intense astringency and the potential toxicity of their seeds make proper preparation essential for safe culinary use.

According to ancient findings, blackthorn berries have been a part of the human diet for over 5,000 years. While the fruit, known as a sloe, is edible when properly prepared, other parts of the plant, including the seeds and leaves, contain toxic compounds. This guide explores the safe culinary uses and potential hazards of the blackthorn shrub.