Barberry

The barberry is the red and sour fruit of a prickly bush that grows throughout Europe and Asia. Too acidic and not sweet enough to be eaten raw, it is cooked into rice, stews, syrups and preserves to give a refreshing tartness, particularly in Iran and Iraq, where it is known as ‘zereshk’. The berries are also used in jams, preserves and candied foods, and are particularly good with quinces. The barberry bush used to be a common sight in England, from medieval times through to early this century when it was realised that it harboured wheat-mildew parasites. Available: Middle Eastern food stores.