Nutrient Comparison of Fruit


Per 100 g  Saskatoon berries  Blueberries  Strawberries  Raspberries
Energy              84.84 Ca                   51 Ca            37 Ca            49 Ca
Protein                1.33 g                         .42 g              .7 g                .91 g
Carbohydrate    18.49 g                     12.17 g            8.4 g            11.57 g
Total Lipid (fat)     .49 g                        .64 g               .5 g                .55 g
Total Fibre          5.93 g                       2.7 g              1.3 g              4.9 g
Vitamin C           3.55 mg                    2.5 mg          59 mg            25 mg
Iron                      .96 mg                      .18 mg          1 mg                .75 mg
Pottassium      162.12 mg                  54 mg             21 mg          152 mg
Vitamin A         35.68 IU                100 IU              27 IU           130 IU

Source:  Saskatoon berries, SFGA, Conducted by POS Pilot Plant, assistance of Native Fruit Development Program (February 2003).



Nutritional composition of Saskatoon berries.

Nutrient Composition
(% dry wt±SD)
Protein 9.7±1.3
Fat 4.2±0.5
Fiber 19.0±3.0
Calcium 0.44±0.06
Phosphorous 0.16±0.02
Potassium 1.22±0.16
Magnesium 0.20±0.03
Sulfur 0.06±0.02
Iron 67.0±11.7
Sodium 31.8±7.7
Manganese 67.0±11.8
Copper 7.2±0.7
Zinc 16.5±2.8
Barium 34.8±4.9
Molybdenum 0.4±0.0
Aluminum 74.5±13.2
Carotene 29.7±5.0
Mazza, G. and C.G. Davidson. 1993. Saskatoon berry: A fruit crop for the prairies. p. 516-519. In: J. Janick and J.E. Simon (eds.), New crops. Wiley, New York.



9/25/2002 University of Alberta

The Cree name for this plant is "mis-ask-quah-toomina," which early, white settlers shortened to"saskatoon." Saskatoon berries were the most important plant food used by the Blackfoot peoples of the prairies. The fruit was used in ceremonies and the plant had sacred significance. Summer camps were moved to good picking locations, and berries were collected, dried and used in making pemmican. Arrow shafts were made from the hard, straight-grained wood. Saskatoon was also used in many medicines. For example, the berries were used to treat liver trouble and as a laxative, and the inner bark or roots were a remedy for diarrhea. Saskatoon berries were so valuable to First Nations Peoples in historic times that they were used as a trade item. Saskatoon berries are sweet and delicious, whether eaten straight from the bush or in favourite recipes like saskatoon pie. The berries are an excellent source of Vitamin C, manganese, magnesium and iron, and a good source of calcium, potassium, copper and beta-carotene. The content of protein, fat, and fibre is higher in saskatoon berries than in other fruits because the edible seeds are eaten along with the berry.

9/25/2002 University of Alberta