Published on: 2026-09-04
Source: Moscow Government – Правительство Москвы –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
The harvest season for various crops in the central and northern regions of Russia begins at the end of summer and lasts until October. Therefore, the assortment at Moscow markets becomes more diverse. For example, visitors can already see autumn berries on the shelves.
From sea buckthorn to cranberry
Sea buckthorn is harvested from the end of August, when the berries acquire a rich orange color. They contain vitamin C, carotenoids, vitamins A and E, as well as organic acids. Fresh sea buckthorn is used for fruit drinks, jams, and preserves, ground with sugar, or frozen.
“Every autumn, we have the same ritual with sea buckthorn: I freeze some of the berries and mash some with sugar — this way, both the flavor and the benefits are preserved for the whole winter. And the juice made from it is my favorite way to warm up on a chilly day: a couple of spoonfuls of the preparation in a glass of warm water — and it’s immediately tasty, healthy, and warm,” shared Inna, a participant of the Moscow fair on Profsoyuznaya Street.
Sea buckthorn can also be found at the fair on Yunykh Lenintsev Street (property 52), where the ‘Rossiyanka’ variety from Vladimir Oblast is presented. And berries from Lipetsk Oblast are offered on Krasnoarmeyskaya Street (properties 36–38).
Blueberries, whose season begins in mid-summer, stay on shelves longer than many summer berries — all the way until the end of September. They are eaten fresh, added to porridges, cottage cheese, and baked goods, as well as used for smoothies and dessert decoration.
September remains the main month for harvesting lingonberries. The berries contain benzoic acid, a natural preservative that helps them last longer, as well as vitamin C, B vitamins, and manganese. Lingonberries are used to make fruit drinks, meat sauces, jams, and other homemade preserves.
Lingonberries are offered by participants of the Moscow fairs on Dubravnaya Street (property 35) from the Moscow and Lipetsk regions, on Profsoyuznaya Street (property 41) from the Voronezh and Vladimir regions, and on Yunykh Lenintsev Street (property 52) from the Vladimir region. The berries can also be found on Marshal Zhukov Avenue (property 24), Milashenkova Street (property 14), and Azovskaya Street (property 24).
In autumn, cranberries also appear at Moscow fairs. The main harvesting period is from September to October, and the firm red berries are well suited for storage and processing. They are used for fruit drinks and jellies, added to baked goods and sauces. For example, bog cranberry from the Lipetsk region is presented at the fair in Rossoshansky proezd (property 8, building 2).
How to extend the berry season
The easiest way to preserve berries is freezing. They are sorted, washed, and thoroughly dried, then spread out in a single layer, slightly frozen in the freezer, and only after that are transferred to containers or bags. With this approach, the berries do not stick together and remain loose. In this form, they can be stored for up to a year.
Another popular homemade method is to crush the berries with sugar without boiling (usually in equal proportions). They are ground with a blender or passed through a meat grinder, mixed with sugar and left until it completely dissolves, then placed in sterile jars. Such a preparation is stored strictly in the refrigerator. In winter, it is enough to add a couple of spoons to a glass of water or tea — and you get an aromatic drink. Sea buckthorn, lingonberry, and cranberry are best suited for this method.
Lingonberries and cranberries are also popularly fermented. The berries are covered with cold boiled water with a small amount of sugar and salt (cinnamon or cloves can be added if desired) and left in a cool place. For example, fermented lingonberries are a classic side dish for meat.
In addition, drying is suitable for any autumn berries. Sea buckthorn and blueberries are dried in an oven at a temperature of 50-60 degrees with the door slightly open or in an electric dryer, cranberries and lingonberries can be dried whole or slightly wilted. Dried berries take up little space and can be stored for up to two years in cloth bags or glass jars. They are suitable for compotes and baked goods, and can also be brewed with tea.
Another way is to make jam or jelly from the berries. Some vitamins are destroyed during heat treatment, but such a dessert will bring joy all winter long.
Products for the Moscow fairs are brought from more than 40 regions of Russia. Specialists check them before they are sent to the counters. State Veterinary Service of the city of Moscow.
Fair pavilions are located in high-traffic areas and are equipped with heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and video surveillance systems, as well as commercial and refrigeration equipment, making them comfortable to visit at any time of the year. Spaces are provided free of charge to fair participants. More information about cooperation can be found on the official website of the State Budgetary Institution. “Moscow Fairs”.
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