Particularly noteworthy berries are the blueberries and cranberries (Vaccinium), black, red and white currants as well as gooseberries (Ribes), raspberries and brambles (Rubus) and strawberries (Fragaria). A number of plant families contribute to the berry fruits of the world. Strawberries, boysenberries, blackberries, youngberries and raspberries belong to the family Rosaceae, blueberries are members of the Ericaceae, mulberries fall under the Moraceae and gooseberries and black- and redcurrants belong to the Grossulariaceae. Currants and gooseberries are hardy plants and cultured nearly up to the Arctic circle, though they fare best in cool humid climates.
Berries are a good source of minerals, particularly calcium, phosphorus, iron and silicon whilst they are rich in vitamins with the vitamin C-concentrations being particularly noteworthy. In this regard it can be mentioned that blackcurrants are the richest fruit source of this vitamin. Moreover, berries contain fair amounts of sulphur, the element that participates in several important detoxification reactions. Toxic materials in the body are conjugated with sulphate and converted to non-toxic forms which are excreted in the urine. Sulphur is more common in vegetables than in fruits, and that is why vegetables are good cleansers. Berries thus fall into the category of foods with excellent cleansing properties.