#ARCTIC. #SIBERIA. THIS IS TAIMYR. August in the Taimyr tundra is a riot of berry colors. The Norilsk people gather wild plants and share photos of the harvest on social networks. After collecting arctic raspberries – cloudberries – it’s time for nectar berry, currant and blueberry.
The nectar berry is very similar to cloudberry, but has a flavor similar to strawberry, while being more intense. And it grows not only in the north, but also closer to the midland.
“The Russian princes, who owned the northern lands, sent their peasants into the forests to pick berries. One of the most delicious northern berries, which the peasants brought to the princely court, was the nectar berry. The berry was very popular with the princely children, especially the girls-princesses. This is where its second name comes from – the princess’s berry. The princess’s berries are similar in shape and color to raspberries, but they are more fragrant, as if the taste of pineapple is added to raspberries”, says Nadezhda @dokumentova_na2 from Norilsk on Instagram.
The leaves of the nectar berry can replace the plantain. They disinfect wounds and accelerate healing. And also the nectar berry is the official flower emblem of the Swedish province of Norrbotten.
The harvest of red currants in Taimyr is also impressive. It is believed that the darker the color of the berry, the healthier it is. But experts clarify: this is true only in relation to vitamin C. There is five times more of it in black currant than in red. The rest of the medicinal properties are similar in all types of currants.
August is the time of picking blueberries in the tundra, the closest relative of lingonberries and blueberries. This is the hardiest representative of the huge family of heathers: blueberry bushes live up to a hundred years. The berry contains vitamins C, E, K, A, group B, beta-carotene.
The townspeople note that this year is also rich in mushrooms – they gather orange birch boletes, boletuses, honey mushrooms.
Earlier, the chef presented the classics of Taimyr cuisine – venison medallions with lingonberry sauce. We also wrote that Norilsk people use tundra juniper in their cooking.
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Text: Angelica Stepanova, Photo: instagram.com/dokumentova_na25
