Lingonberry

Lingonberry

Berry🍂 Peak in autumn
Used in 8 of 203 cuisines (4%)

Lingonberries are tart little gems, their bright red hue encasing a bold flavor that balances sweetness and acidity. Their aromatic quality evokes the crispness of northern forests.

Where it comes from

Native to Scandinavia, lingonberries are a staple in Swedish cuisine, often served alongside meat dishes and used in jams, reflecting the berry's cultural significance.

In the kitchen

These berries are essential for creating sauces that elevate game meats and can be used in desserts, where their tartness cuts through richness beautifully.

Across cuisines

Swedish

Lingonberry is the canonical Scandinavian tart berry — cooked into a loose, slightly sweetened compote (lingonsylt) that sits beside köttbullar meatballs, pancakes, and wild-game roasts. The fruit's natural benzoic acid keeps it stable without refrigeration, which made it the perfect winter preserve before modern technology. Closer to a cranberry than a blueberry in profile.

Norwegian

Lingonberry is the canonical Scandinavian tart berry — cooked into a loose, slightly sweetened compote (lingonsylt) that sits beside köttbullar meatballs, pancakes, and wild-game roasts. The fruit's natural benzoic acid keeps it stable without refrigeration, which made it the perfect winter preserve before modern technology. Closer to a cranberry than a blueberry in profile.

Danish

Lingonberry is the canonical Scandinavian tart berry — cooked into a loose, slightly sweetened compote (lingonsylt) that sits beside köttbullar meatballs, pancakes, and wild-game roasts. The fruit's natural benzoic acid keeps it stable without refrigeration, which made it the perfect winter preserve before modern technology. Closer to a cranberry than a blueberry in profile.

Nutrition (per 100g)

~50kcalCal
~1.0gProtein
~0.2gFat
~12.0gCarbs
~1.5gFiber

AI-estimated; model and run unavailable.

Pairs well with

Flavor affinities

Seen in these dishes