Now that we’ve hit July, the foraging season is about to explode. That basically means mushrooms and berries.
If I had to choose one on a given day, I’d probably go for berries. They’re a bit more dependable as a food source. Plus, in Minnesota, we have some strong choices.
For those with Upnorth plans, blueberries will likely be on the menu. Widespread and often abundant (if you know where to look), “blubes” probably have more fans than any other wild fruit in Lake Country. The first of the year are probably coming ripe about now.
Minnesota actually has two species of blueberries, not that it matters. They often grow and thrive in the same locations. Vaccinium angustifolium is what we usually picture: bright blue, often with a waxy haze. The other, V. myrtilloides, is darker in color (sometimes downright black) and tends to be smaller in my experience.
Size doesn’t matter, however, as any berry picker knows. The flavor-to-size ratio is almost always more favorable with wild blueberries than anything you’d ever find in a store. They literally punch above their weight whether eaten fresh, in preserves, or in baked goods.
Red raspberries (Rubus idaeus) are also flavor-dense, and will soon come into season. I have a special love for them, as it takes only a few to add that mouth-watering raspberry smack to a mixed-berry jam.
As a crop, wild raspberries are a little unpredictable. They seem to be conditions-dependent, and the season can be short or long. From what I’ve observed, they suffer terribly when rainfall lags.
A few years back, the raspberry season was poor. Berries were few and small. Then it rained big time, and they revived remarkably. We were picking regular berries of average abundance the next week.
Closely related to raspberries are the blackberries and thimbleberries. They’ll ripen later in summer. There are several varieties of blackberries, and they unfortunately seem equally variable as raspberries. Good years and bad years.
It’s unlikely you’ve even heard of thimbleberries, as they are largely relegated to the shore of Lake Superior. Moreover, you’d be hard pressed to fill a bucket with them, despite their size. Better to think of them as a bonus snack along the trail.
If I may, I’d like to shine a light on yet another member of the extensive Rubus group. Here in southern Minnesota, black raspberries (R. occidentalis) are probably the most abundant.
Some call them “black caps.” I’ve often heard them called “blackberries,” which is understandable since they are literally a black berry. However, they do not have a core, like true blackberries. Their shape is like a tiny cup, same as raspberries. In addition to their raspberry leaves, black raspberries are quickly recognized by their blue canes. Yes, blue. Like the sky.
Black raspberries are one of the earlier wild fruits. From what I’ve heard, they have been popping for the last week or two already. Venturing out to collect the first bucketfuls can be enough reason to brave the mosquitoes.
Or maybe not, because going without bug repellent is the only sure way not to introduce that flavor to your haul. Just sayin’.
As far as taste, black raspberries are unlikely to knock anyone’s socks off. They’re good enough, but they lack the red raspberry’s zing. And they don’t compare to the unique and potent thimbleberry. Probably closer to that low-key berry taste of blackberries.
I feel lucky to have them growing at the margins of our new yard. Unfortunately, they don’t seem to be thriving anywhere. And the only place where I think they get enough sun is where I need to squeeze the lawnmower through to access the backyard.
My goal for this fall is to have accomplished some better grading around the garage, and transplant them nearby. They’ll have a good deal of sun there, and I believe they’ll benefit from the extra water from the downspout. If I can get a cup or two to play with, that’s great.
I will admit I’m a little lukewarm about it. Mostly because black raspberry flavor doesn’t excite me much. It’s a bit…weak.
For that reason, I think of them as a “weakling” berry. That’s not a judgement; only a descriptor. One of my favorites is another weakling: Juneberries.
Juneberries, known to many as serviceberries, seem to be gaining in popularity. One reason for that is they are increasingly used in residential and municipal landscaping as a small tree. I’ve heard a lot of chatter about them from “urban foragers” on social media the last couple years.
When it comes to nutrition, this is a nutrient-dense food. And it is said that juneberries have a higher antioxidant load than almost anything, blowing even blueberries out of the water.
As already hinted, juneberry flavor is not that strong. They’re related to apples, and it comes through in the taste. I usually describe them as being “faintly apple-y.” One thing I’ve observed is that if you let them ripen to a dark purple, the flavor is less intense than while they still have a deep rose hue.
Anyway, juneberries have also been in season for the last couple weeks in southern Minnesota. That means they started in June. In the north central part of the state, I rarely find them ripe on the fourth of July. If I do, it’s an early year.
As it happens, the first time I ever picked a handful was well into August. My wife and I were on the Superior Hiking Trail for a few days, and fresh produce tasted like heaven. They were also the biggest I’ve ever seen—roughly the size of red grapes.
Since a person could pick them in any summer month in our state alone, I suppose they could rightfully be called Junejulyaugustberries. Now, that’s a strong choice.
Roy Heilman is a Minnesota writer and outdoorsman. Learn more about wild berries on his website, neveragoosechase.com.