An interesting way to think about polyphenols is that they are there for a reason.

It takes an incredible amount of energy and complexity, generation after generation, for a plant to produce them. Think about DNA—how it has to be perfectly transcribed season after season to create what is, in effect, a living pharmacy of beneficial compounds. Some of these compounds have very specific shapes and functions, and as a class, they are called polyphenols.

Many polyphenols are also pigments. They impart color, taste, and other sensory experiences when we take them in as food, wellness, or ritual. In Aronia, these pigments are extraordinarily concentrated—that’s why the berries are so deeply purple, almost black.

We like to think of these compounds as part of how the plant protects what matters most: the tiny living seed inside the berry. Polyphenols help absorb intense ultraviolet energy and environmental stress that might otherwise damage that developing life and its DNA. In a very real sense, the seed is cocooned in a dark, protective, purple-black jelly matrix, designed by nature to preserve future generations.

And remarkably, that is essentially what you take in when you drink our juice or savor the dried berries and pomace.

When consumed as food, polyphenols enter the body and circulate through the bloodstream as part of normal metabolism. Every blood vessel, large and small, is bathed in these compounds as they move continuously through the circulatory system—interacting with tissues, supporting balance, and contributing to the body’s natural resilience over time.

The same way the berry protects its tiny delicate seeds, these compounds support the body’s internal environment—not as a drug, but as nourishment, delivered again and again with every sip.  

Not a ‘supplement’ (this is why you take a supplement - if you don’t have it) This is Food, and let food be our medicine.

This is why deeply pigmented berries have mattered to our ancestors across cultures and generations. Their color is a signal: of density, strength, adaptation, and survival.

 I mean, think about it, we are in part here because we LOVE berries and berries love us!

To us, these dark berries symbolize regeneration, resilience, and a collective will to thrive—plants and people shaped by stress, time, and the quiet intelligence of nature working exactly as it shoul

Short answer: not exactly — but here’s what the science actually shows.

There is no current USDA designation that formally ranks foods as “#1.” However, in USDA-published antioxidant research, aronia (black chokeberry) was found to have among the highest antioxidant levels of any fruit tested.

In a large antioxidant survey conducted by USDA scientists, aronia measured nearly four times the antioxidant capacity of blueberries using the ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) method.

Because ORAC is a laboratory measurement — and not a health claim — the USDA later removed it from consumer databases to prevent misuse in marketing. The underlying research, however, remains peer-reviewed and scientifically valid.

What this means:
Aronia was not “officially crowned” #1 by the USDA, but USDA-affiliated research consistently places it at the very top of antioxidant-dense fruits ever measured.

Sources

• Wu X. et al., Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 2004
• Prior RL et al., USDA Human Nutrition Research Center

We set out to make the best-tasting Aronia berry juice possible—full stop. Our farmer spent nearly a decade refining how Aronia is grown and handled, through brutal storms, freezing rain, and years with no clear market. Giving up was never an option.

We’ve tasted Aronia from around the world. In our opinion, what we’ve achieved here is different—and it comes down to intention, patience, and respect for the plant.

Some elements of our process are trade secrets, but the foundations are simple:

Aronia is a remarkable perennial that returns year after year, builds soil, traps carbon, and supports the surrounding ecosystem. Our plants are selected not just for productivity, but for flavor first. The hardiest, best-tasting berries are naturally favored, and the plants are tended with exceptional care.

We also treat the berries differently. Instead of aggressively over-pressing to maximize yield, we gently “coax” the juice out—more like a wine press than a typical juice operation. This preserves the delicate balance between tannins and sweetness, bitterness and brightness.

After harvest, we intentionally freeze the berries. While this may seem counterintuitive, research and experience show that freezing Aronia enhances both flavor and nutritional quality. It’s costly and time-intensive, but we do it because taste matters.

Our juice is then flash pasteurized for just seconds—long enough to ensure safety, while preserving flavor and nutrients. Immediately after bottling, we flash-cool to lock everything in.

In the field, we also apply a living probiotic foliar spray that the plants thrive on. This supports plant vitality and consistently increases sweetness and depth of flavor. Craig, our farmer, tends to this vital mixture, in the same way he tends to all of his crops.

Finally, Aronia is indigenous to this region. These plants belong here. We’re not forcing a crop into the land—we’re working with the natural ecosystem, blending ancient wisdom with modern regenerative farming. Moreover, it’s so fascinating — Aronia will grow in many regions, but it actually requires a hard freeze to produce the best berries. Our location here in the Driftless Region of Wisconsin provides optimal conditions!

All of this adds up to what we believe is one of the most unique culinary beverage experiences available—and, in our opinion, the best-tasting Aronia berry juice you’ll find anywhere.