Lesser known berries to look out for

Come summer, we enjoy the abundance of blueberries, strawberries, raspberries and even blackberries that are available. But these aren’t the only berries that grow locally. Here are some lesser-known varieties to try this season.

Sea buckthorn
One of the most vitamin-packed and nutrient-rich foods in the world, this tiny orange berry definitely packs a punch. Grown all over the world, sea buckthorn is very sour when raw, but it makes delicious jams and syrups.

Elderberry
These native berries grow wild all across North America, and you might have a better chance foraging for them than finding them at your local grocery store. Elderberries can be toxic when raw, so they need to be cooked before you can eat them.

Cloudberry
These northern berries look like orange raspberries but have larger drupelets. Native to Canada, the northern United States and Scandinavia, these tart berries can be eaten raw or used in the same way you would raspberries.

Huckleberry
Often compared to blueberries, these small red or purple berries grow across the United States. Annual huckleberry harvest festivals are held and enjoyed in numerous American towns.

Traditionally, they were very important to the Indigenous Peoples of Idaho, Montana and Washington.

While some of these berries may be hard to find, tracking them down is worth the effort. They may be easiest to come across in the form of preserves and jams.

If you forage for wild berries, it’s essential to have a good guide or a deep knowledge of local plants. Only eat fruits that you are 100 percent certain are safe to consume in terms of their variety, their ripeness and their preparation method.