Wild Berries in the Estonian Food Industry

Throughout history wild berries have been very important for manhood, as personal food resource as well as source for additional income. Wild berries are high in vitamins, aromatic and of a very high flavour quality. They can be eaten fresh, frozen or canned and are used as fresh fruit, ingredients in food preparations and also as a dietary supplement or as a basis for liqueurs. Wild berries have potential for use in the food and beverage industry. During the last years non-timber forest products became an up-to-date topic of active discussions. During the years after Estonia regained its independence in 1991 there was intensive forest destruction, and often was forgotten that forest means more than timber. This way of thinking also led to underestimation of the economic value, which is hold by non-timber forest resources. This book by the author Markus Peter Nagel gives a first picture of the role that wild berries play in the Estonian food industry. The particular aim of this work was to find out, which are the most important wild berry species for the Estonian food industry. The book is meant for experts in forestry, forestry students and also for the food and beverage industry. He holds a MA in Baltic Studies from the University of Tartu, Estonia and a B.Sc. in International Forest Ecosystem Management from the University of Applied Sciences in Eberswalde, Germany. Currently he is doing its PhD in political science at the University of Tartu. His current studies are focused on Baltic States development co-operation.