What Is Sea Buckthorn? Discover this superberry
If you’re looking to add a new superfood to your recipe roster, sea buckthorn is a standout choice. What is sea buckthorn? This hardy deciduous shrub is a a particularly useful plant, with just about every part of the plant usable. Leaves can be strewed to make teas, while nutrient-rich oils can be extracted. However, it’s the vibrant orange berries that are the real standout of this summer food staple.
What exactly is sea buckthorn?
Sea buckthorn, or hippophae rhamnoides, is a plant native to many parts of Asia and Europe. It’s a staple ingredient in many types of medicine, with just about every element of the plant used. Rich in vitamins A and C, along with a host of B vitamins, sea buckthorn has many purported health-enhancing qualities. According to some studies, sea buckthorn can help smooth out wrinkles and combat visible signs of ageing. It’s also used to treat common skin complaints like acne and eczema, along with things like hypertension.
A brief history of sea buckthorn use
Sea buckthorn has been used for its medicinal properties for thousands of years. In Europe, the Ancient Greeks, Celts, and Thracians were among the first to adopt the plan for medicinal purposes, while it’s been a popular ingredient in folk medicine in China for centuries. The first documented use of sea buckthorn dates back to around 5000 BC, when race horses in Ancient Greece were fed the plant to boost muscle mass, increase weight gain, and improve hair quality.
Later, the Tibetans used the plant to create hundreds of different medicines, targeting a host of diseases and ailments. By the time the Mongols adopted the plant, it was being used to treat everything from bleeding to inflammation.
In the modern era, studies have found that sea buckthorn has even more health-boosting properties than first suspected. It was introduced to the diets of Soviet cosmonauts, with the plant found to offer a degree of protection against cosmetic radiation.
Where sea buckthorn grows naturally
Sea buckthorn is a relatively hardy plant and thrives in many places throughout the northern hemisphere. A European native, it fares particularly well in coastal regions, with its resistance against salt sprays allowing it to dominate in these areas. In Asia, the plant thrives in semi-desert areas that are typically inhospitable to other species.
What part of the plant is used?
Unlike many other types of plants, just about every aspect of sea buckthorn can be used. Rich in vitamin C, the berries can be eaten raw, or processed into all manner of food products. Sea buckthorn leaves can be picked and dried to make teas, while even the oil of the plant can be extracted and used to make everything from dietary supplements to cosmetic products.
Sea buckthorn as a nordic superfood
If you’re on the hunt for more Nordic superfoods to turbocharge your diet, sea buckthorn is a serious contender. High in nutrients and the minerals you need to stay healthy, sea buckthorn extracts and berries can be readily worked into all manner of recipes.
Why it’s considered a superberry
From goji berries to sea buckthorn, there’s plenty of choice when it comes to superberries. But what exactly constitutes a superberry? Unlike other fruits on the market, these berries are richer in essential vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids. They also typically boast a much higher concentration of antioxidants.
LOOV’s sea buckthorn product forms
Loov’s Sea Buckthorn Powder is worth a try if you’re keen to sample this nutritious superberry for yourself. Air-dried to preserve nutrients, this powder is high in essential vitamins, alongside minerals like zinc, copper, and iron. What’s more, it’s powdered form makes it easy to add to all your favorite recipes. Add a serving to your morning smoothie or incorporate some into baked treats.
Sea buckthorn vs. other berries
If you’re looking to introduce a new superfood staple to your menu plan, berries are a good choice. With a rich nutritional profile, ample antioxidants, and plenty of fatty acids and vitamins, sea buckthorn fruit is a clear winner.
What makes it unique
With their tart, fruity flavor, sea buckthorn berries make an irresistible addition to all manner of recipes. They also pack a punch when it comes to nutritional quality, boasting a much higher concentration of antioxidants, vitamins, fatty acids, and proteins than other berries.
Common confusions (is it related to buckthorn?)
Despite their similar names, sea buckthorn and buckthorn are two completely different plants. While shrubs from the buckthorn family bear fruit, most varieties aren’t edible and the ones that are usually used to create things like laxatives.
How sea buckthorn is harvested and processed
Sea buckthorn is typically harvested by hand, with the leaves and berries carefully removed. After washing, sea buckthorn then needs to be processed. Oil can be extracted from berries by crushing, while seeds can also be processed with carbon dioxide to produce oil. Juicing is another popular processing option, depending on the product that’s being made, while various drying treatments can be used to produce sea buckthorn products with a longer shelf life.
Harvesting challenges
The berries of the sea buckthorn plant are fairly delicate compared to other fruits, with high sensitivity to heat and light. This is why berries are usually harvested at night, with nocturnal harvesting helping preserve the nutritional properties and health benefits of the fruit. Cooler temperatures also help maintain the quality of berry oil, preserving flavour.
For maximum nutrients, sea buckthorn must be properly harvested and processed—LOOV uses air drying to lock in its full nutritional value.
How LOOV preserves its nutritional integrity
If you’re after sea buckthorn that boasts maximum levels of nutrients, the plant and its berries need to be harvested and processed correctly. At LOOV, our sea buckthorn preserved via air drying, ensuring every serving packs a nutrient-rich punch.
FAQs about sea buckthorn
Is sea buckthorn a fruit or a herb?
Technically, sea buckthorn is an order of deciduous shrubs, with the berries they bear landing it in the fruit category.
Is sea buckthorn safe to eat?
Yes, sea buckthorn is perfectly safe to eat, but the berries and leaves themselves are generally processed to produce a more palate-pleasing product.
Can I grow sea buckthorn at home?
Yes, seabuckthorn is easily cultivated and can make a welcome addition to any garden. While it needs plenty of sunlight, sea buckthorn thrives in a variety of soil conditions.
What does sea buckthorn taste like?
The sea buckthorn plant itself is tall and thorny, while the berries themselves are bright orange in colour. In terms of taste, you’re looking at a fairly tart flavour profile, with many people reporting a hint of passion fruit.
What are the health benefits of sea buckthorn?
There are many health benefits of sea buckthorn. It is known to have anti inflammatory properties, can help maintain healthy blood sugar levels, alleviate skin conditions like atopic dermatitis, and more. It’s also thought to ward off more serious conditions like cardiovascular disease, and boost the immune system, helping with things like wound healing.
