Why Do Idahoans Hold Huckleberries in Such High Esteem?
Huckleberries, though often elusive, flourish abundantly, yet remain largely undiscovered by many unless they’ve ventured into the northern coastal areas or the Rocky Mountain region of the United States and Canada.
These wild berries grow on small evergreen shrubs, thriving in the cool, shady regions of the Pacific Northwest and the northern states from Wyoming to Alaska. Despite being cousins to once-wild strawberries and blueberries, huckleberries have resisted cultivation. Similar to foraged morel mushrooms and other highly sought-after wild foods, huckleberries remain elusive even in their natural habitat, their precise locations guarded by those in the know, intent on keeping their bounty for themselves.
Tiny purplish-red and bursting with sweet-tart floral flavors and abundant antioxidants, huckleberries offer both delightful taste and health benefits. They’re transformed into scrumptious ice cream, jelly, jam, pie, cobbler, and syrup, but are equally enjoyed raw, often devoured by the handful!
Idaho's huckleberry bounty peaks in late summer.
While huckleberries grow in various regions, it’s in the volcanic soil of northern Idaho near Coeur d’Alene that some of the finest huckleberries flourish in the cool mountainous surroundings. Among the many types of huckleberries, the deep purple variety found in Idaho is deemed the sweetest and most flavorful. Idahoans have a deep affection for huckleberries, our official state fruit, incorporating them in both sweet and savory dishes, as well as in shampoo, soap, and skincare products. Montana and Oregon share Idaho’s fervor for the hard-to-cultivate wild shrub.
Foragers seeking the holy grail of wild huckleberries flock to Idaho during the peak ripeness of late July to early October. The huckleberry harvest window is narrow, with pickers racing against the first snowfall. Fortunate huckleberry hunters must contend with local wildlife, including hungry bears preparing for hibernation, curious foxes, majestic elk, and flocks of birds.
If you’re lucky enough to find someone willing to share their treasure, huckleberries fetch $90 a gallon. In Idaho County, huckleberry preserves are priced at $8 a jar, alongside huckleberry scones, muffins, sauces, syrups, and pies, some selling for as much as $60 each. A modest price for one of nature’s most exquisite and extraordinary treats.
Here’s to Idaho’s wild huckleberries… as Idaho-Forged as it gets!
