I like them a lot. And no, they are not even close to blueberries. Their taste is more sharp, great balance of sugar and acid with very light bitterness , much less than I remember from my childhood. You are invited to try too - if they will perform. They blooming well, but not much pollinators…
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It sound interesting. Need to learn more about it from you.
Since I know where you live, I can help you “harvest” while you are away 
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Actually, I can take up on that offer. If I have something to be picked while I am out, I will ask you 
. I have a whole plan on how to handle 11 days absence - it includes two neighbors, and now you!
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I’ve got 6 bushes planted last year that gave me a handful of berries, as well as 4 additional bushes planted this year. The older 6 bushes have bloomed well and I’d expect berries. You’re welcome to come sample.
It’d be a longer trip than you’d hoped, but maybe you could combine with a visit to Newport.
Of course that assumes that I can protect the berries from birds and leave them on the bushes long enough to get fully ripe.
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Unless you net them, the birds will be happy to help you pick honeyberries. They get most of mine each year.
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They are not netted. They are CAGED!!! Like animals in the zoo. 
I will install the top when they finish to flower.
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Anytime. Harvest is a fun part of growing fruit. Just let me know.
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I’ve had the same experience as Bob. Since there’s nothing else ripe at the time, the birds go after them even well before they’ve really ripened up. And netting is a bit tricky because a lot of them seem to have a droopy spreading habit.
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If you get a batch of frozen, try them a few ways. Mine are older bushes, so apparently more tart than some of the newer ones.
We have found they work really well in smoothies, pancakes or muffins. For pies, mixed berry or custard were the better versions. It’s easier to compensate for the tartness if they are mixed in or only used as accents.
Did a black raspberry/haskap jelly last year that was really tasty.
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@JesseinMaine that looks like a great spot! I may have to drive up there this spring/summer.
@steveb4 Good call! I’d forgotten about that. That will be a good option if the local harvest falls through, or if I want to try other varieties.
@BobVance @SMC_zone6 I have seen that can be an issue, but I find the fact that they’ll be about the only fruit available at that time as valuable as the birds do. So, I’m willing to give them a shot (knowing that I might not get much).
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@galinas Holy cow! You built a house for your honeyberries. I can fully relate to this level of hobby obsession!. I am hoping to plant enough for both the birds and my family to get their fill.
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Great if you can. I would, if I have space - but these two bushes all I can afford. And it would be one, if they would be self-pollinated, so I have to keep the berries for myself 
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We use Lee Valley, bird safe nets and they work pretty well.
Netting or other coverage is needed here since cedar waxwings send out scouts and flocks will show up and strip the bushes clean.
Even with the nets some of the robins will work really hard to sneak in. The appearance of purple poop lets me know if they are succeeding.
( watching the resident robins freaking out about the waxwings can be pretty funny)
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i was thinking of trying honeyberry/ black currant. 
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Try what works for you. I find black currant tends to dominate unless you use very little.
For us, haskap works best with similar levels of flavour. Adding it with : black raspberry, Saskatoon, blueberry or apple gives a nice added depth of flavour and tartness.
Benedictine as a great liquor add-in for it as is St. Germaine.
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I’m just about running out of last year’s black currant jam. Just a couple little jars left.
And I never found the one jar of honeyberry I’d made last year. I broke out my 2nd to last jar of black currant, to be pleasantly surprised to see it labeled “honeyberry 2020”!
2 of the best jams one can eat. I like them pure.
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I agree pure is usually best. I usually don’t even add pectin. I will add a touch of lemon juice if acidity is lacking for whatever reason. I can’t wait to try making jam with my black and red currants. I can find store bought, but It’s usually just OK at best. The fruits that are almost too tart to eat fresh have a special place in my heart/stomach. Something alchemical about the flavor transformation when you turn them into jams or pies.
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i just made up 6 pint jars of b. currant jam from 2 gal bags of frozen b.currants id missed in my big freezer from last summer. was glad to find them as id run out of the jam about 3 weeks ago. looking forward to making haskap jam. that one must be really good also.
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The best jam from black currant in my opinion is a raw jam. It is a healthiest as well. Time ago back home we always made it using 1 part of berries and 1.5 part of sugar. and it didn’t even required refrigeration. But now days so much sugar is above my abilities to consume, so I use 1 part of berries for 0.5.-0.7 part of sugar and freeze it in small jars. Taking one in winter is like getting fresh made from the garden…
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i use the low sugar recipie with added pectin made for low sugar jams. i love the concentrated flavor with less sugar.
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