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Life's Little Sweets

Omnivore loving vegan, gluten-free & beverage recipes

Home » Autumn Olive Guide + Recipes

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September 5, 2020

Autumn Olive Guide + Recipes

Autumn Olive Guide + Recipes – Here is an informational guide on Autumn Olives, a list of recipe ideas & inspiration, and links to Autumn Olive recipes.

Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

Autumn Olive Guide + Recipes

Autumn Olive Guide + Recipes

Hi Everyone, Are you familiar with Autumn Olives? They are unique, sweet and tart, small, reddish berry that grows wild here in Central New Jersey (and can also be found in NY and PA).

Enjoy this guide, list of recipe ideas & inspiration, and links to blog recipes on this unique, foraged berry!

I link to the foraging guide that I use, Northeast Foraging, in the recipe link card below at the end of the post.

(All the photos in this post are photos of Autumn Olives on our property, taken September 2020)

Autumn Olive Silverberry Autumnberry
Autumn Olives

What are Autumn Olives?

According to Wikipedia, Autumn Olives are:

“Elaeagnus umbellata is known as Japanese silverberry, umbellata oleaster, autumn olive, autumn elaeagnus, or spreading oleaster. The species is indigenous to eastern Asia and ranges from the Himalayas eastwards to Japan.”

The back of the leaves are silvery in color as compared to the green front side of the leaf.

They have a olive-shaped, pointed pit in the center.

Autumn Olive Silverberry Autumnberry
In this photo, the Autumn Olives are ripening but not yet quite ripe. When they are red, speckled and slightly squishy, then they are ripe.

Are Autumn Olive Plants Invasive?

They are an invasive species and spread easily and are feasted on by birds and other wild animals. The plant thrives in disturbed soil areas.

Therefore, don’t feel bad about harvesting them!

I suggest throwing the pits in the trash or where they can be composted (and will not grow into plants), instead of throwing them back in the woods where they can continue to spread.

 

Autumn Olive Silverberry Autumnberry
Ripening Autumn Olives, the most red one, looks ripe.

Are Autumn Olives real Olives?

No, they are fruit/berries, not olives. The berries are olive-shaped.

Autumn Olive Silverberry Autumnberry

Are Autumn Olive Plants Shrubs or Trees?

They are considered shrubs and can turn into small trees when they get large.

Autumn Olive Silverberry Autumnberry

What is the Nutritional Value of Autumn Olives?

According to Specialtyproduce.com:

“Autumn olives are high in vitamins A, E, and C and are known for their high content of the antioxidant, lycopene.”

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Autumn Olive Silverberry Autumnberry

What do Autumn Olives taste like?

Autumn Olives taste sweet, tart and slightly astringent.

RELATED: Fresh Garlic Hummus

Autumn Olive Silverberry Autumnberry
Here is another Autumn Olive plant along the edge of the woods.

When are Autumn Olives Ripe to Harvest in Central New Jersey?

In Central New Jersey, Autumn Olives begin ripening at the end of August and are ripe at the end of the Summer, in September and through October and into Late Fall, November.

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Autumn Olive Silverberry Autumnberry
Autumn Olive plants at the base of a tree on our property

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Autumn Olive Silverberry Autumnberry
A view of one of the Autumn Olive shrubs on our property

RELATED: Homemade Autumn Harvest Fruit and Nut Granola

Autumn Olive Silverberry Autumnberry
The back of the Autumn Olive leaves

Recipe Ideas & Inspiration for Autumn Olives

Here is a list of several recipe ideas for Autumn Olives:

  1. Autumn Olive Fruit Leather
  2. Autumn Olive Gin Cocktail Recipe
  3. Autumn Olive Mocktail
  4. Autumn Olive Ice Cream
  5. Autumn Olive Frozen Yogurt
  6. Autumn Olive Chia Seed Pudding
  7. Autumn Olive Sorbet
  8. Autumn Olive Coulis 
  9. Autumn Olive Sauce/Topping
  10. Autumn Olive Lemonade 
  11. Autumn Olive Iced Tea
  12. Autumn Olive Panna Cotta
  13. Autumn Olive Galette 
  14. Autumn Olive Pie
  15. Autumn Olive Juice
  16. Autumn Olive Tart
  17. Autumn Olive Jam 
  18. Autumn Olive Jelly
  19. Autumn Olive Quick Bread
  20. Autumn Olive Scones
  21. Autumn Olive Rolls
  22. Autumn Olive Cookies
  23. Autumn Olive Cake
  24. Autumn Olive Jelly Roll Cake
  25. Autumn Olive Marinade or Sauce for Steak/Chicken/Fish/Venison/Meat
  26. Autumn Olive Honey
  27. Autumn Olive Wine
  28. Autumn Olive Syrup
Autumn Olive Silverberry Autumnberry
The fruit of the Autumn Olive plant appears speckled, oblong (olive-shaped) and red when ripe.

Get Proper Plant Identification 

With any foraged food, I HIGHLY recommend using a field guide (I link to my favorite one below, Amazon Affiliate Link) and making sure you have a foraging expert verify the plant.

If you have any doubt, wait until you know for sure. There are a lot of wild berries out there and many are poisonous!

I also currently use an app to help with plant identification on our property and beyond; the one I currently use is the “Picture This” app which I use on the iPhone. I always use multiple verifications before consuming any wild/foraged food.

Here’s a YouTube video on Autumn Olive berry Identification to help you ID it:

 

RELATED: Breakfast and Brunch Recipes Collection

Autumn Olive Silverberry Autumnberry
Autumn Olives growing on an Autumn Olive plant.

Have you made any recipes with Autumn Olive berries?

Please let me know in the comments at the end of the post.

Thank you for reading and following along!

Autumn Olive Recipes

Here are some Autumn Olive Recipes from other blogs, enjoy the list!

1

Northeast Foraging: 120 Wild and Flavorful Edibles from Beach Plums to Wineberries (Regional Foraging Series)

This is the foraging guide that I have, follow and use right now.

2

Autumn Olive Cookies Recipe

Photo Credit: www.ediblewildfood.com
3

Lemon and Autumn Olive Tart Recipe

Photo Credit: www.ediblewildfood.com
4

Grilled Portabellas with Autumn Berry Drizzle | Food For Thought

Photo Credit: foodforthought.net

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Sara Maniez
Owner at Life's Little Sweets
Sara is an architectural designer turned work-at-home Mom. She lives in New Jersey by way of New England and New York, with her husband and 3 kids under 6. She loves design, being creative and spending time with family and friends. She loves checking out local businesses and eats and being apart of the local farm to table community.
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Comments

  1. Lois says

    February 12, 2022 at 7:38 pm

    I’ve made Autumn Olive Berry Jam. It’s fantastic ..

    Reply
    • Sara Maniez says

      February 17, 2022 at 7:57 am

      That’s wonderful to hear Lois!

      Reply

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