What is loganberry? Loganberry (Rubus loganobaccus) is a berry that belongs to the rose family (Rosaceae). It is a combination of the red raspberry (Rubus idaeus) and the wild blackberry (Rubus ursinus). The loganberry fruit and plant looks more like a blackberry than a raspberry, although the color of the fruit is a dark red rather than the pure black most often associated with blackberries.
Loganberry originated in Santa Cruz, California, in 1881. Amateur horticulturist James Harvey Logan had taken an interest in creating a superior hybrid berry that later became the delicate loganberry fruit. It is slightly longer than the raspberry in shape and has smaller seeds than blackberries.
In this article, we will detail the nutrition facts, taste, and health benefits associated with loganberry. We will also share some tasty loganberry recipes you need to try.
Loganberry Nutrition Value
Loganberry fruit is loaded with nutrition, including a number of vitamins and minerals as well as lots of fiber and protein. The main vitamins in loganberry include vitamin C, vitamin K, folate, vitamin A, vitamin E, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B3, vitamin B5, vitamin B6, and choline.
From a mineral perspective, loganberry contains manganese, copper, magnesium, potassium, iron, calcium, phosphorus, and zinc.
The following is a comprehensive loganberry nutrition chart with greater detail on the nutrient content of one cup of unthawed frozen loganberry:
| Nutrient | Amount | Daily Value |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 80.9 | 4.00% |
| Carbohydrates | 19.1 g | 6.00% |
| Fiber | 7.8 g | 31.00% |
| Protein | 2.2 g | 4.00% |
| Total Fat | 0.5 g | 1.00% |
| Iron | 0.9 mg | 5.00% |
| Manganese | 1.8 mg | 92.00% |
| Copper | 0.2 mg | 9.00% |
| Calcium | 38.2 mg | 4.00% |
| Magnesium | 30.9 mg | 8.00% |
| Phosphorus | 38.2 mg | 4.00% |
| Potassium | 213 mg | 6.00% |
| Sodium | 1.5 mg | N/A |
| Selenium | 0.3 mcg | N/A |
| Zinc | 0.5 mg | 3.00% |
| Folate | 38.2 mcg | 10.00% |
| Vitamin B1 | 0.1 mg | 5.00% |
| Vitamin B2 | 0.01 mg | 3.00% |
| Vitamin B3 | 1.2 mg | 6.00% |
| Vitamin B5 | 0.4 mg | 4.00% |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.1 mg | 5.00% |
| Vitamin A | 51.5 IU | 1.00% |
| Vitamin C | 22.5 mg | 37.00% |
| Vitamin E | 1.3 mg | 6.00% |
| Vitamin K | 11.3 mcg | 6.00% |
| Choline | 12.5 mg | N/A |
* N/A – Not Applicable
What Do Loganberries Taste Like?
How does a loganberry taste? This tender, elongated, plump berry has a tart taste when ripe. They are juicier and also have a sharper flavor profile than blackberries and raspberries. The loganberry is also more acidic with fewer flavors than a raspberry. Loganberries are not as soft as other berries, which lends to their tartness.
Health Benefits of Loganberry
As with blackberries and raspberries, there are many loganberry health benefits due to the berry’s strong nutrition content. For instance, the fiber in loganberries is also useful for digestive issues such as constipation.
High amounts of anthocyanins, flavonols, and other antioxidants found in the berry can help fight diseases like cancer and heart disease. Like blackberries, loganberries also contain a high number of phenolic antioxidant compounds like ellagic acid, gallic acid, caffeic acid, vanillic acid, ferulic acid, and rutin.
Ellagic acid, in particular, has antiviral, antibacterial, antimicrobial, and chemo-preventative properties.
These antioxidants also contain cardio-protective, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties. Furthermore, they are able to improve cognitive function, and reduce high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and high blood sugar.
Loganberries are also extremely high in manganese, and this can help treat conditions such as diabetes, arthritis, osteoporosis, mood disorders, and lung disorders.
The high amount of vitamin C in loganberries is essential for strengthening the immune system; healing wounds; preventing anemia; repairing tissues; treating skin conditions like eczema and acne; and protecting against asthma, infections, and cancer.
Studies have found that the antioxidants in loganberry fruit can help prevent several types of cancer, including colon, stomach, skin, breast, lung, and prostate cancers.
The folate in loganberries is also able to help prevent cancer and depression, support heart health, and protect against dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
You can also benefit from the vitamin K in loganberries. Vitamin K is able to improve bone density and stop bone loss in osteoporosis patients. It’s also a key nutrient in heart health that has been shown to prevent calcification of arteries, which is a leading cause of heart attacks.
Vitamin K also helps reduce menstrual pain, bleeding, and blood clotting. Its anti-inflammatory activity can protect your brain against oxidative stress due to free radical damage as well.
Loganberry Recipes You Need to Try
There are many ways loganberry can be used. Loganberry is common in jams, jellies, preserves, syrups, and baked goods like pies and crumbles. Loganberries can also be used interchangeably with blackberries and raspberries in recipes for tarts and other desserts.
You can also freeze berries like loganberries and thaw them for later use. What about a loganberry drink? Loganberry can be used for juice or country wines.
Read on for a variety of delicious loganberry recipes.
Loganberry Cake
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups sugar or coconut sugar
- 3/4 cup coconut milk
- 1 organic egg
- 2 tbsp organic grass-fed butter or ghee, melted
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp coarse sea salt
- 2 tsp baking soda
- 1 1/2 cups pastry flour or gluten-free flour, sifted before measuring
- 1 1/2 cups fresh or canned loganberries
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and grease an eight-inch round baking pan. Sift the flour, baking soda, and salt together with a half-cup of sugar.
- Beat an egg with butter and coconut milk.
- Combine dry ingredients until no dry flour remains. Pour the mixture into the pan and sprinkle loganberries on top. Cover with remaining cup of sugar.
- Bake for approximately 35 minutes.
Homemade Loganberry Drink
Ingredients:
- 3 cups loganberries
- Juice of 1 organic lemon
- 1 1/2 cups superfine sugar
- 4 cups filtered water
Directions:
- Place sugar, fruit, and water in a stainless steel pan over medium heat. Bring it to a boil and simmer for five to six minutes, or until the loganberries soften.
- Remove from the heat, add the lemon juice, and cool down.
- Pour the mixture through a nylon sieve. Rub the pulp through the sieve and discard the pips. Pour into sterilized bottles, seal, and store in the refrigerator.
- Dilute the drink with sparkling water, filtered water, or champagne at a ratio of four to six, respectively.
Loganberry Ice
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 2 cups loganberry juice
- 1 tbsp organic lemon juice
- 1 cup sugar or coconut sugar
Directions
Boil the water, and add the sugar. Let cool, and add the loganberry juice and lemon juice. Place in the refrigerator and freeze for about two hours until it becomes ice.
Final Thoughts on Loganberry
Loganberry is a hybrid berry that combines the wild blackberry and red raspberry. It looks more like a blackberry, but has the color of a raspberry. It is also juicier with a sharper flavor than raspberries and blackberries.
Loganberries taste great in jams, jellies, tarts, pies, and other baked goods. We’ve also provided some delicious recipes for a loganberry drink, ice, and cake.
The fruit is loaded with nutrients such as manganese, vitamin C, vitamin K, and folate. It is also a great source of antioxidants such as flavonols, anthocyanins, and phenolic compounds. As a result, the many potential loganberry health benefits include treating diabetes, osteoporosis, lung disorders, mood disorders, skin conditions, and various cancers.
Also read:
- Blueberry juice: Nutrition facts, benefits & healthy recipes
- Elderberry tea: Health benefits and how to make it
- Mulberry tea: Nutrition, benefits & side effects explained
- Strawberry detox water: Health benefits & recipes
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