Dear Fellow Foodie,
You’re in luck…we have just entered my favorite sub-season of summer; it’s time for berries galore! Berries of all varieties are truly some of nature’s finest superfoods…they rank among my favorite because not only are they good for you, they taste delicious, too! Among my favorites are wild huckleberries. Read on for more info on these precious little berries!

Huckleberries are small roundish berries that look similar to small or wild blueberries. They do not withstand transplanting or propagation and are not grown commercially. An abundant harvest, or lack of, is determined by unpredictable elements such as frosts, adequate amounts of rainfall, and sunlight. In late summer the berries are hand-picked while they are at their sweetest. They are tangy, tart and absolutely delicious and their color may range from deep crimson to deep magenta. Many people say they are the most flavorful berry in the world. They have a strong, pungent odor. (Unless stored in sealed glass jars, huckleberries can permeate anything in the refrigerator or freezer.) Many Montana folks keep a separate small refrigerator or freezer, just to store their huckleberries.

You can look for huckleberries in the wild in late July or August, depending on the elevation. You¹ll find them growing, grouped together on low bushes. The berries grow at high elevations on the sunny slopes of the mountains. It is wise to avoid picking the berries in early evening or early morning hours, especially if you are in a remote area. Huckleberries are a favorite food of bears, both black bears and grizzlies. Bears find huckleberries to be a real treat and the high sugar content aids the bears in storing fat for the oncoming winter.

Happy berry picking and eating!