You might have been eating these juicy red fruits with a somewhat sour, tangy taste called barberries but perhaps you did not know that its scientific name is Berberis. Originally a plant native to certain regions of Africa, Asia and Europe, barberry shrubs are now grown all around the world. If you love Persian cuisine, chances are that you are going to find barberries as one of the ingredients mixed into your food. Here are some fun facts about the Persian barberry that will surely amaze you.

1. Natural painkillers – Eat some barberries to alleviate the pain brought about by standing for long hours in the office all day. This is because the fruit contains anti-inflammatory properties.

2. Garden beautifier – A popular garden shrub, barberries are grown for their ornamental leaves and yellow flowers. The shrubs, when used as hedges in your garden with their ruby-red coloured fruits, will for sure, attract curious passers-by and onlookers as well.

3. A symbol of marriage – It is believed that the Persian barberry, used mainly in Persian wedding celebrations, is a stark reminder to the wedded couple that life is not always a bed of roses, that is, full of sweetness. But rather, there is also a ‘sour aspect’ to married life.

4. Perfect sandwich fillers – The barberries can be made into jellies and jams since they have high pectin content. Hence, they are perfect as fillings for your sandwiches.

5. Packed with nutrition – Filled with a number of vitamins and minerals, including carbs and fibres, barberries are highly nutritious and are therefore beneficial to health.

6. Healthful benefits – A therapeutic compound with antioxidant properties, Berberine abounds in large concentrations in barberries. This substance is believed to provide health benefits such as preventing cell damage, lowering cholesterol and blood sugar levels, and so on. And not only that – due to its anti-inflammatory effects, but Berberine is also known to help delay the growth of certain types of cancer cells. In addition, vitamin C, also an antioxidant found in barberries, aids in protecting the cells from being damaged.

7. Flavour enhancer – Barberries not only bring out the most gorgeous colour to your food but also the tartest flavour there is. If you wish to add a twist to your ordinary dish of rice or pot-roasted chicken, simply sprinkle those tarty balls of red over the dish. If you have dried instead of the fresh ones, just soak them briefly in water, fry or simmer to make them plump so that amazing flavours can be released.    

A lot of people say that fresh barberries are very hard to come by but you can find them from legitimate sellers online. So, the next time you need some packs of Persian barberry for your cooking, just visit this page.