Nature’s Richest Berry, Ready to Purchase…. And Pour

Frequently Asked Questions

We recommend starting at 3 ounces per day

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

From the bag manufacturer: "Our bags are free of Bisphenol A (BPA) additives, dibutyl phthalate, diethyl hexyl phthalate, and any other organo-phthalates"

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Absolutely. Our berries are third-party tested and contain no traces of heavy metals.

Our product are shelf stable and do not require refrigeration prior to opening.

Once opened, like most other foods, yes, product should be refrigerated.

Great question. There are so many factors that come in to play here, companies cannot provide guarantees on how long products stay fresh after opening. Are you drinking right out of the bottle lol? Do you see what we mean?

That said, under reasonable conditions, because of the nature of Aronia (low pH, low sugar and water content) it will stay fresh for much longer than typical high sugar products. So freshness maintained for 2 to 3 weeks if not longer after opening if properly handled and refrigerated. The bag in the box products because they are purged with nitrogen to remove oxygen, often even longer. Results may vary.

It’s true—Aronia has long been used as a landscaping plant, prized for its resilience, beautiful spring flowers, vibrant fall color, and ability to thrive in tough conditions. But that’s only part of the story.

Aronia is also native to North America and was historically valued as a food plant, especially by Indigenous peoples. In other parts of the world—particularly Eastern Europe—it has been cultivated for decades as a food and culinary crop, used in juices, jams, wines, and functional foods.

The reason Aronia became known primarily as a landscaping plant in the U.S. is simple: it’s incredibly hardy and productive, but its flavor requires skill and care to unlock. When grown and processed without intention, the berries can be overly tannic and astringent.

At Viroqua Aronia, we grow Aronia specifically for flavor and nourishment, not ornamentation. Through careful varietal selection, regenerative farming, and gentle, wine-like processing, we reveal what this plant has always been capable of—a deeply flavorful, complex, and food-worthy berry.

In short:

Yes, Aronia can be a landscaping plant.

But treated with respect, it becomes something far more powerful—a remarkable food.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Aronia is often called black chokeberry—specifically Aronia melanocarpa. The nickname comes from the berry’s naturally high tannin content, which can create a dry, “choking” sensation when the fruit is eaten raw.

That name can be misleading. When Aronia is grown intentionally for flavor and handled with care, those tannins become part of what gives the berry its depth, balance, and complexity—much like in fine wine or dark chocolate.

It's also sometimes confused with "chokeCHERRY" Prunus virginiana, totally different species.

In short, black chokeberry (but not chokecherry) and Aronia refer to the same remarkable fruit. The difference isn’t the plant—it’s how it’s grown and how it’s crafted.

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Aronia Berries

Goes with almost everything!

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Aronia Berries

Goes with almost everything!

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Aronia Berries

Goes with almost everything!

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Aronia Berries

Goes with almost everything!

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Aronia Berries

Goes with almost everything!

bullet
Aronia Berries

Goes with almost everything!