Haskap (Tart-sweet Hokkaido berry)
Hokkaido’s jewel—a rare berry where tartness meets sweetness

About Haskap (Tart-sweet Hokkaido berry)

Haskap is a blue-purple berry native to Hokkaido. Because it is rare, it is also known as the “phantom fruit,” and it has long been enjoyed by the Ainu people. Its name comes from the Ainu word “hashikap,” meaning “many things growing on branches,” and the berry evokes Hokkaido’s nature and history.

Haskap grows wild mainly in the colder parts of southern and central Hokkaido, and is harvested from late June to early July. It is a nutrient-rich fruit containing vitamin C, vitamin E, iron, calcium, and anthocyanins, a type of polyphenol. Anthocyanins in particular are said to have strong antioxidant properties and may help relieve eye strain, maintain eyesight, and support healthy-looking skin.

Its pleasing balance of tartness and sweetness makes it ideal for sweets and confections. It can be enjoyed in jams, jellies, ice cream, and baked goods. Haskap Jewelry, a celebrated Hokkaido confection, is especially well known throughout Japan. Haskap is also used to make fruit liqueur, which is enjoyed as a digestif.

Drinks that complement the berry’s refreshing tartness pair well with haskap sweets. Green tea and herbal tea are good choices, as is a light white wine. Haskap ripens during Hokkaido’s brief summer, and each berry captures something of the region’s rich nature and culture.

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