The marjad (berries) in this jar are no longer whole, nor are they a “product of Greece”, as stated on the label. Greece in Estonian is Kreeka.
“The real Mediterranean taste” described the previous occupants of this jar, which were oliivid (olives). The Mediterranean Sea in Estonian is Vahe/meri, meaning the sea in between. The jar’s handwritten label speaks of its new contents: TIKRI-PÕLDMARJAMOOS. Tikker is gooseberry, officially known as karus/mari, which refers to the small hairs covering the berry, making it karune or hairy like a bear (karu). Tikrid / karusmarjad are green, sometimes also burgundy, slightly transparent, oblong globes. Põld/mari, literally “field berry” (also põld/murakas) is that dark cousin of the raspberry known as the European dewberry, whose closest North American relative is the blackberry. This past summer was a banner põldmarja year in Eesti. Another inspiring name for the dew- or pseudo blackberry is põld/vääne. Väänlema / väänama means to wriggle, writhe or twist and the dewberry’s thorny branches do just that along the rocky borders of fields (põllud). In its taas/kasutatud (recycled) vessel, this moos (jam) is a product of the island of Saaremaa.
Photos and text: Riina Kindlam
