Which varieties are edible?

Many poisonous honeysuckle species

at Red honeysuckle (Lonicera xylosteum) caution is advised. The berries contain the bitter substance xylostein, which is especially dangerous for children.

These berries, which look a bit like small cherries, should never be collected and used in the kitchen.

Find edible hedge churches

In contrast to the red varieties, blue honeysuckles (Lonicera caerulea) are not poisonous. For most of them, however, collecting is not worthwhile.

They have little or no aroma and leave an uncomfortable slimy feeling in the mouth.

Some of the blue varieties are sweet with a very bitter aftertaste. These honeysuckles are only suitable for making fruit brandies.

May berries can be eaten fresh or cooked

There are now several blue honeysuckle varieties that are quite tasty. They are also called May berries and are available in specialist garden shops under the botanical name Lonicera kamtschatica.

Blue honeysuckles ripen from June and are recognizable by their unusual shape and slightly velvety surface. These are double berries that can grow up to two centimeters in size.

The berries have an aromatic, sweet taste and are delicious when eaten fresh from the bush. They can also be used to prepare delicacies in the kitchen:

• jam
• compote
• juice
• Mus
• liqueur

Only collect known berries from wild hedge bushes

If you go looking for honeysuckles to eat, you should find out in advance whether the species in question is poisonous or not.

As soon as you have even the slightest doubt, it is better to refrain from collecting the fruit.

If in doubt, the local nature conservation organizations will help identify the berries found.