can you eat dogwood berries

Dogwood berries can be edible or inedible depending on the species. The berries of the Kousa dogwood (Cornus kousa) are edible and often eaten raw. They have a custard-like texture with a sweet taste that some compare to mango, persimmon, or melon, but their skin is gritty, bitter, and usually discarded along with the seeds. These berries can also be used in recipes like jams, desserts, and sauces. However, the berries of the Flowering dogwood (Cornus florida), a common ornamental type, are considered inedible and very bitter, possibly causing gastrointestinal distress if eaten. So, if referring specifically to Kousa dogwood berries, yes, they can be eaten safely and enjoyed, but the berries from other dogwood species like Flowering dogwood are best avoided for consumption.