Huckleberries are one of the most important wild foods of the Pacific Northwest people. They are used by many wild foragers and native tribes for their health benefits. Some tribes would travel hundreds of kilometres for these amazing berries. Huckleberries are the Idaho state fruit. Many tribes dry these for uses during long cold winter months.
Black huckleberries
Habitat
Huckleberry likes to grow in areas with little activity by humans or other frequent disturbed soil. It also needs to grow with plants and fungi to be able to survive. They commonly are found in the North-Western of North America in the Rocky Mountains.
Huckleberry habitat
Nutrition
Huckleberries are packed full of antioxidants and anthocynins. They contain high levels of vitamin C.
How to harvest
When you are harvesting huckleberries try to only harvest every third bush and leave half the fruit on the plant for other wildlife and reaction. Huckleberry bushes are easily killed by over-harvesting the resurgence in 1809 in commercial harvesting of huckleberries there has been devastation on the remaining bushes left in North America. Huckleberries are one of the grizzly's favourites so be cautious when out harvesting these beautiful berries.
Harvest sustainability please,!
Huckleberry leaves in the fall
FUN FACT!!!
Huckleberry leaves are just as nutritious as fruit.
Wildlife benefits
Huckleberries are loved by many animals but none more than the grizzly bear. They offer food and habitat for all kinds of birds and squirrels. They are the main food source for many grizzly bears.
Grizzly in the berry patch
How to use
Some of the best ways to use these wonderful berries are to eat them fresh but are equally as good in preserves cakes, muffins, dehydrated, smoothies, and yogurt.
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