The rise of the superberries

Supermodels love them, with Victoria’s Secret model and nutritionist Miranda Kerr listing them as her sweet fix of choice. Naturally rich in a yellow antioxidant which has been linked to protecting eyesight. However, recent research found they were no more nutrientpacked than strawberries, which are cheaper and tastier.

All it took was for Victoria Beckham to tweet that she was obsessed by acai berries for hopeful dieters everywhere to start buying into the internet chat that these dark, grape-like berries were packed with nutrients and had “fat-burning” qualities. They are rich in amino acids, vitamins A, B, C and E and minerals including potassium and calcium. As for those fat-burning claims? Some dieticians believe it is simply great marketing.

Known as chokeberries in America – because they make your mouth pucker if you eat them raw – they contain more antioxidants than acai, goji and blueberries. They can be too sharp to eat raw, but are can be added into soups, sauces, jams and even wine. There are growers in Scotland. BRITAIN is bingeing on a berry bonanza.

Latest figures show we’ve broken the £1 billion sales barrier for the first time.

Healthy eating, smoothie fever and more availability have all helped fuel an astonishing fruity feast.

And industry experts say the recent good weather will only have boosted sales.

A fifth of the total fruit consumption in the UK is now berries, the largest fresh fruit category and more than apples and bananas.

In the past four years, sales have rocketed by some 20%.

“Berries used to be a luxury item, but now they are a delicious staple, consumed as part of a healthy diet for many people,” said Laurence Olins, chairman of British Summer Fruits.

“The sales figures reveal a robust expanding soft fruit market that is meeting growing consumer demand.”