Aronia as a Functional and Geographically Indicated Fruit: Could It Be an Alternative to Bilberry in Processed Food Products?
Chapter from the book:
Yazıt,
H.
&
Gençer,
K.
(eds.)
2026.
Contemporary Research in Gastronomy and Culinary Arts- VII.
Synopsis
Aronia (Aronia melanocarpa), a member of the Rosaceae family, is a berry fruit widely recognized as a “superfruit” due to its high content of polyphenolic compounds. Rich in phenolic acids, anthocyanins, flavonols, and other bioactive components, this fruit is protected under geographical indication as "Yalova Aronyası" in Turkey. Similarly, bilberry (Vaccinium myrtillus), belonging to the Ericaceae family, is known for its high antioxidant content and is extensively utilized in nutrition and food production. Although aronia and bilberry belong to different plant families, they exhibit numerous similar characteristics. In this context, a study was conducted to analyze the contents of marmalades made from these two fruits, identifying their similarities and differences. The findings demonstrated that geographically indicated aronia can effectively substitute bilberry in processed food products. Moreover, the development of innovative food products and formulations using aronia, with its high functional properties, could provide significant contributions to both the food industry and the national economy.
