Stone Bramble (Rubus saxatilis), fam. Rosaceae.
   The most runty among the Rubus species growing in Kyiv. Not many people are aware of existence of this berry in the forest, because, unlike dewberries and raspberries, stone bramble is almost never grown in culture or sold in markets. The color and shape of its berries are related to raspberry, but the grains are several times larger, and their number in the group is much fewer (as a rule, 2-7). At picking, these fruits usually crumble into individual grains. They also remind the pomegranate grains. The taste of the berry is acid and without pronounced flavor. It is improbable to find the fans who would eat a lot of stone bramble berries, especially since its stones are quite annoying – to small to spit, too large to swallow, and too hard to chew.
   Nevertheless, this berry is not inferior to other in its benefits, and is quite capable of being a part of diverse summer menu. Low popularity of stone bramble explains the gaps in knowledge of its chemical composition. However, it appears in many recipes of folk medicine, directed to vitaminisation and general support for the body. Only the culinary recipes with stone bramble that inevitably recommend giant amounts of sugar to combat its acid taste should be avoided – such home preparations would only cause harm.

---