In this article, we’ll go over a list of some of the most common and easily identifiable wild berries from around the world. With some practice and further study, you may find that wild berry picking is easier than you think! Let’s get started.
Chokeberries
Also known as aronia berries for their Aronia botanical name, chokeberry shrubs are ornamental and commonly planted in North America. There are three primary colors of chokeberries, all of which are edible. However, you may not put these berries high on your list of favorites, given their positively tart and puckering flavor!
Chokecherries
Another commonly planted landscaping tree has to be the chokecherry. Often confused for chokeberries, chokecherries are distinguishable by their bright red coloration. However, note that chokecherries contain small levels of toxins when eaten in an unripe form, and their pits are toxic as well. This may be another technically edible option that isn’t anyone’s favorite, though there is chokecherry wine manufactured in the midwest!
Wild Strawberries
Depending on where you live, wild strawberries are easier to find than you think! Just like their commercially grown counterparts, wild strawberries have a sweet taste and are a bright red when fully ripe. However, they are often smaller and the seeds are more pronounced compared to commercial cultivars or varieties.
Salmonberries
Common in the Pacific Northwest and as far north as Alaska, salmonberries have a mellow flavor. You can find naturalized salmonberries in Europe as well as the west coast of North America, as they thrive in moist climates. While salmonberries aren’t as flavorful as blackberries or raspberries, they are still popular in pies, jams, and preserves, particularly in Oregon and Washington.
Thimbleberries
Soft and rounded in a way other berries are not, thimbleberries are highly unique. Not only are their large leaves soft to the touch, but their berries taste particularly sweet and musky. Most thimbleberries can be found in full sunlight in mixed woods. You will have the best luck finding them along the west coast as well as around the Great Lakes.
Wild Raspberries
Found around the world in disturbed areas and cultivated woodlands, wild raspberries aren’t too different from their commercially grown counterparts. These red berries thrive in full sunlight and are hardy down to Zone 4, making them easy to find in a variety of locations. The softer they are, the sweeter these berries will taste!
Huckleberries
Prized in North American wildernesses, particularly the Pacific Northwest, huckleberries are similar in flavor and appearance to blueberries. These two berries are technically related, but huckleberries have a more pronounced flavor and a firmer texture compared to blueberries. If you happen upon these delicious berries in the wild, try a couple of different bushes, as they tend to range in tartness from plant to plant!
Saskatoon Berries
Prevalent in Canada, Washington, Oregon, and parts of the central US, the Saskatoon berry is uniquely nutty. It can be tricky to identify, given the simplicity of its leaves and the notion that these wild berries look like many others. However, it is a common enough shrub in North America, also known as the serviceberry for its many uses, particularly in indigenous cultures.
Wild Blackberries
One of the most common types of wild berries you are likely to find is the blackberry. With thorny brambles that spread without much thought, wild blackberries can be difficult to control. If you live in the Pacific Northwest, you should have no trouble finding wild blackberries, especially once they start ripening in May and June!
Mulberries
Ripe during the peak of summer, you can find mulberries throughout North America. These berries also come in different colors depending on the plant species and the ripening time, ranging from deep purple to whiteish pink. You know when a mulberry tree is ripe if you shake its branches: the berries should fall to the ground, giving you no need to pluck them from their place!
Bearberries
Also known as Kinnikinnick, bearberries are found in North America, Asia, and parts of Europe. These bright red berries are frequently misidentified, so use extra caution before consuming. Should you choose to eat these berries, they won’t have the strongest flavor. However, these plants are extremely versatile, thriving in many locations and temperatures, giving you plenty of foraging opportunities!
Elderberries
Native to the eastern United States, elderberries need to be cooked before being consumed. However, they have a juicy flavor and a striking purple color that makes for a festive pie or jam at any table. In addition, elderflowers are delicious when eaten raw or as a tea, or perhaps consider making an elderflower simple syrup for your cocktails.
Cloudberries
Also known as the bakeapple or the Alaskan raspberry, cloudberries have a delicious flavor. Prized in Russian and Scandanavian cuisines, cloudberries thrive in colder environments. They grow in a unique way as well, typically in a singular fashion and upright, along low-growing vines. Cloudberry preserves are a must-try if you’re able to get your hands on some!
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