Huckleberries Anyone

One of my favorite foods is a little reddish, purplish berry called Huckleberries. 

They grow in the mountains of North America. In Idaho Huckleberries can be found growing everywhere in the mountains during the late summer season. About the last two weeks of July and the first week of August is when they are in season. 

These berries are similar to blueberries but are a little small and have more of a tart taste to them. They grow in patches on small, leafy, bushes. They don't grow in bunches. They grow individually making picking them a little more time consuming. 

Huckleberries are used in a variety of ways. There is Huckleberry soda, Huckleberry muffins, Huckleberry syrup, Huckleberry cheesecake, Huckleberry fudge and many other uses. However, my favorite way to eat them is in a bowl with a little cream and sugar. It is a rare thing to find Huckleberry products in stores, even in Idaho. I see them mostly in boutiques and souvenir shops. Even then you can only buy the Huckleberry products not the actual fresh berries themselves. I have yet to see a Huckleberry in any grocery store either. It would be a lot more convenient to run to the product section and grab some huckleberries for dinner. Yet, since they aren't in stores it's kind of like they are this awesome Idaho secret. Huckleberries can only be eaten by those who know where to find them. 

Heads up while gathering these delectable little berries though, humans aren't the only animal with Huckleberries on the menu. Bears and other animals love Huckleberries. I have seen a few bears and luckily have never had a bad encounter with anyone of them but do take precautions when searching for a Huckleberry patch. Bumping into a bear in a Huckleberry bush could end up being a bad day.

If you ever find yourself in Idaho in late summer send me a message and I will help you get your hands on these delicious little berries.