Published on: 2026-09-18
Source: Moscow Government – Правительства Москвы –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
At the beginning of autumn, cornelian cherry appeared at Moscow fairs. Farmers brought several varieties that differ in size, shape, color, and taste. Among them are “Elena,” “Vladimirsky,” as well as “Svetlyachok,” “Bilda,” and the late “Semyon.” Cornelian cherry is eaten fresh and used for making drinks, homemade preserves, desserts, sauces, and other dishes.
From a botanical point of view, the fruit of the cornelian cherry belongs to drupes, but due to its size and shape, it is often called a berry. One of the first to ripen is the ‘Elena’ variety with small bright red fruits and a soft harmonious taste. The ‘Vladimirsky’ variety is distinguished by its large size and dark color when fully ripe. The ‘Svetlyachok’ has a bottle shape and juicy pulp, while the ‘Bild’ has broad pear-shaped fruits with a soft tartness. The late variety ‘Semen’ can be recognized by its dense texture, pronounced aroma, and dark burgundy color of the fruit.
Cornelian cherry contains vitamin C, which is essential for the normal functioning of the immune system and especially important in autumn. The red color of the fruits is due to anthocyanins — natural antioxidants. Additionally, cornelian cherry contains pectin, organic acids, potassium, magnesium, and iron.
Useful substances also determine the culinary properties of cornelian cherry. Organic acids and tannins can inhibit the growth of certain microorganisms, which allows homemade preserves to last longer. Pectin, in turn, helps achieve a thick consistency in jams and sauces without additional thickeners.
Hikmat Jafarov, a participant in Moscow fairs, is well acquainted with methods of preparing cornelian cherry. He brings the “Vladimir” variety to the site at Semyonovskaya Square (property 4).
“At home, we always make compote and jam from cornelian cherry. It turns out very tasty and goes well with tea. We also appreciate this berry for its benefits: it contains many vitamins and minerals,” shared Hikmat Jafarov.
Ripe cornelian cherry can be eaten fresh, but due to its characteristic sweet and sour taste, it is often used for making jam and compotes or added to various dishes. Even the seeds find use, as they contain vegetable oils and sugars. When roasted, the sugars caramelize, giving the seeds a dark color and a slight bitterness, while the oils create a rich aroma. Then they are ground and brewed—producing a drink that resembles coffee but contains no caffeine.
The characteristic tartness allows cornelian cherry to be combined not only with sweet products. It is widely used in Caucasian cuisine, where thick sauces for meat, poultry, and fish are made from the fruit. For this purpose, the cornelian cherry is boiled, mashed through a sieve, and then mixed with garlic, cilantro, hot pepper, and other spices. Another traditional option is lavashana, a thin pastille made from cornelian cherry puree. It is added to soups, pilaf, and stewed meat to give the dishes a fruity tartness.
The cornelian cherry shrub itself is also interesting. It blooms one of the first among fruit plants—early in spring, and sometimes as early as February. At the same time, most varieties’ harvests ripen only by early autumn, five to six months after flowering. Cornelian cherry grows slowly and, according to various sources, can live and bear fruit from 100 to 250 years. Because of this characteristic, it has been called the “berry of longevity.”
Products for Moscow markets are brought from more than 40 regions of Russia. Specialists check them before they are sent to the counter. the state veterinary service of the city of Moscow.
Fair pavilions are located in high-traffic areas and equipped with heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and video surveillance systems, as well as trade and refrigeration equipment, making them comfortable to visit at any time of the year. Spaces are provided to manufacturers free of charge. More details about participation conditions can be found on the official website State Budgetary Institution “Moscow Fairs”.
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