You’ve probably never seen them on your grocery store shelves, so it’s natural to wonder if huckleberries are even real.
But if you have any doubts about this mysterious fruit, let us put them to rest.
Today, we’re foraging for the truth to answer all your questions.
Let’s get picking!
What Is a Huckleberry?
Imagine a cross between a blueberry and a cranberry, and you’ll get the beloved huckleberry. It turns out that these sweet, tangy treats are related to both.
We know of at least twelve species in North America, but some claim that Western huckleberries are the purest varietal. And, to be fair, they’re classified differently than other types. So, from now on, we’ll stick to the tried and true.
Huckleberries are in the Vaccinium genus, the same as blueberries. And when you see them side-by-side, that’s probably no surprise. They’re chock full of antioxidants, vitamin C, iron, and potassium.
Horticulturists, farmers, and scientists keep trying to domesticate the wild plant, but it refuses to be tamed. They require specific growing conditions like moist soil containing volcanic deposits. That’s one reason you don’t find them at your grocery store.
And, with a short shelf life, selling them commercially is hard.
Where Can You Find Huckleberries?
Huckleberries are native to the Pacific Northwest. Their habitat begins along the California coast, north into Canada, and extends eastward to Montana and Wyoming.
These small shrubs are found throughout the region, particularly in shady forest undergrowth. Frequently, dense thickets grow on undisturbed land, such as those in national parks. Sub-alpine environments with fir and pine trees tend to be their favored ecosystems.
If you go hiking in these areas, watch for small bushes with bright green leaves and a single succulent berry growing out of the stem. Be warned that many poisonous plants look similar, so you’ll need to do extensive research first.
Never eat anything unless you’re 100% certain of its identity.
The best way to get your hands on these delectable morsels is by visiting a farmers’ market in late summer or early fall. But expect to spend a pretty penny. We hear some places charge as much as $65 per pound!
Popular Uses
As we mentioned, huckleberries don’t last long once picked, so if you find fresh ones, you’ve struck gold. Historically, Native Americans would dry them so they’d keep over the long winters. They would use them for food, of course, but also medicinally.
Today, you’ll find them in all kinds of sweet treats. Huckleberry ice cream is a seasonal delicacy in Montana. Pies, jams, muffins, and pancakes are other options. Basically, anywhere you’d use blueberries, consider substituting these wild berries.
We’ve even heard of folks making hot sauce with them. Which just goes to show they’re truly a versatile fruit.
What Is the Huckleberry Capital of Montana?
Despite their wild popularity in Montana, they’re not the state fruit. However, one town has received the honor of becoming the Huckleberry Capital.
The tiny hamlet of Trout Creek, in the northwestern corner, has so many naturally occurring bushes that it’s now known for the things. It’s safe to say these plants outnumber the 300 or so people who live there.
Each year, on the second full weekend in August, locals and visitors gather to celebrate their favorite berry. It’s a major event with plenty of fun activities.
Festivities include a parade, an auction, and a pancake breakfast. At the kids’ talent show, winners take home the title of Little Miss Huckleberry or Mr. Huck Finn. There’s also a pie-eating contest, a horseshoe-throwing tournament, and prizes for the best jams and jellies.
If you’re in the area during the event, we suggest making it a priority.
Best Places to Indulge in Montana Huckleberry Treats
While in Big Sky Country, you’ll want to sample the best culinary creations made with huckleberries. Here are three highly-rated spots to stock up at!
All of these happen to be a short distance from Glacier National Park. This is a great place to stay! North American RV Park – West Glacier, Montana
Polebridge Mercantile and Bakery
You already know that summer is the time of year for these delicacies. Well, every day during the season, Polebridge Mercantile and Bakery whips up tasty treats with them. They’ll put this fruit into just about anything from macaroons to cookies.
But their huckleberry bear claws keep folks coming back for more. You can see the purple goodness oozing out through the thick slices and icing drizzle.
We suggest you go ahead and order a dozen for the road.
Sweet Peaks Ice Cream
Sweet Peaks Ice Cream is famous in Montana. Based in Whitefish, they also have four regional locations, including Kalispell, Bozeman, and Missoula. Their dairy comes from local sources, and so does their fruit.
Huckleberry ice cream is a local favorite. Sometimes, they mix it up by adding crunchy bits of pie crust for a frozen spin on the summer favorite. You can’t go wrong with any flavor from this establishment.
The Huckleberry Patch
With a name like the Huckleberry Patch, you know you’re in the right place. Located in Hungry Horse, Montana, this is the ultimate stop for anything and everything to do with the fruit. They’re a cannery, deli, gift shop, and candy shop.
You can find it here, from pies and jellies to teas and even daiquiri mix. During the summer, they give away one free pie every month. All you have to do is send them a Facebook message with your email address, and you could be the lucky winner!
While you’re there, try these 5 Fantastic Day Trips Around Whitefish, Montana.
What Is the Meaning Behind Doc Holliday’s Huckleberry Phrase?
If your mind immediately went to the movie Tombstone when you read the word “huckleberry,” you’re not alone. Dentist-turned-gunslinger Doc Holliday, played by Val Kilmer, said the iconic line, “I’m your huckleberry,” twice throughout the film. And, according to legend, it’s something he said in real life, too.
The phrase essentially means, “I’m the right person for the job.”
It’s unclear where the origins of this saying lie. Some say the idiom came from Mark Twain’s famous character, Huckleberry Finn, in The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. Interestingly, others say it’s the other way around, and Twain took the phrase from the outlaw. Holliday’s active period in the Wild West did coincide with the book’s release.
Wherever it came from, it’s one that’s stuck with us over the years.
Give yourself the gift of huckleberries! Deluxe Gift Crate: 10oz Huckleberry Syrup, 2-5oz Jams & 12oz Flap Jack Mix
The Humble Huckleberry Is A Summer Delight!
Whether you prefer your huckleberries fresh from the plant, baked into a pie, or swirled into creamy ice cream, Montana is the ultimate destination to indulge in them. Locals know just how treasured these gems are, and they’ve figured out how to put them in just about everything.
Whatever you do, just be sure you know exactly what you’re looking for if you choose to forage for them!
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