Airelle Rouge lyophilisée 100g

The lingonberry, airelle rouge in French, is a small berry from the forests of northern Europe, sharper than a blueberry and smaller than a cranberry. These come from Estonia, Finland or Ukraine, depending on supply. Once freeze-dried, the berries stay round and turn a reddish orange; since they weigh almost nothing, the 100 g bag holds a generous volume.

In Scandinavian cooking, lingonberries go with game, meatballs and mashed potatoes. To do the same, soak the berries for about ten minutes in a little hot apple juice, then simmer them with a pinch of sugar and a dash of wine vinegar: the sauce suits a venison stew, roast pork or a pâté en croûte. Dry, they go into granola, porridge or a multigrain bread dough, where they leave red flecks and a sour note. On a cheese board, a few berries next to a brie or an aged Comté balance the richness.

Once open, reseal the bag and keep it dry: left in the air, the berries turn sticky. Use before the date shown on the label. You will also find them on the shelves of the G. Detou shop, 58 rue Tiquetonne, Paris.