What are Barberries?

Barberries (Zereshk in Persian) are small dried Iranian berries with the sweet and sour and sharp flavor. These ruby seeds have vibrant and  gorgeous color that makes them suitable to decorate the food dishes.

Where can you find Barberries?

Iran is known as the main producer of Barberry in the world and has traditionally been the main exporter of this product throughout the world.  South Khorasan is the most famous Barberry producer in the country.

When are Barberries harvested?

Barberry fruits come in late summer or autumn.

What are the available types?

All types of Barberry are obtained from a tree species and are differentiated with their drying method. The most important types of Barberries in  Iran are:

• Puffy (Pofaki) – Exported

In order to produce the puffy Barberries, the fruits along with the branches are placed in a continuous air stream from 4 sides. In this way, the drying process often takes 4 to 5 months. After the fruits are dried they are separated from the branches.

The Puffy Barberry is a luxury product from Iran that is exported.

• Dane Anari (Sun Dried)

For producing Dane Anari Barberries, the fruits are separated from the branches and dried under direct sunlight. This normally takes 4 weeks.

Dane Anari has a lower quality in comparison to the Puffy, hence the difference in price.

• Organic Barberry

Organic Barberries are wild fruits that are grown naturally in rainy areas. They are good in terms of price and quality.

What are the Barberries used for?

• Ingredient in the food
• Medicinal purpose
• Coloring for clothes, leather, silk, cotton and wool fibers

What are its benefits?

The root, skin, stem:

The alkaloids in the Barberry root and stem have antibiotic properties.

So it is believed to treat the following diseases:

• Reducing fever
• Reducing swelling
• Lowering blood pressure
• Regulating heart rate
• Relieving anorexia
• Regulating the digestive system
• Treating neonatal jaundice

The Leaf:

• Treating chronic diarrhea
• The leaf of Barberry has lots of C vitamin
• The Barberry brewed leaves are useful for angina and sore throat
• Improves oral hygiene

The Fruit:

Barberry as an edible fruit is used in making jam, jelly, juice and cooking

What form of Barberry is used?

• Herbal Powder
• Capsules
• Liquid
• Fruits

Source: “Taher Agroindustrial Group”