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Wild Mountain BlackBerry
The mystique of the little Wild Mountain Blackberry began over 150 years ago, when Pacific Northwest pioneers first began picking these Pacific Northwest native, trailing vine wild berries. Quickly, they discovered that the tiny berries possessed a unique tartness and sweet flavor unsurpassed by any other. By the turn of this century, everyone from farmers to city folk prized little wild mountain blackberries as the crown jewels.
One taste of our Wild Harvest little Wild Mountain Blackberry Preserves, or wild blackberry pie and you'll see why the late internationally renowned chef and cookbook author, James Beard, was drawn to the unique character and "brier" of these berries. He considered them "the most prized treasure of all the wildland berries."
| Wild Blue Huckleberry |
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| Wild Mt. Rainer Blueberries |
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| Wild Mountain Blackberry |
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| Wild Red Huckleberry |
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The scientific name given to little wild mountain blackberries is Rubus ursinus. Other common names include Pacific Trailing Blackberry and Northwest Dewberry. When we picked them as kids, they were simply "little wild blackberries." No matter what you call them, little Wild Mountain Blackberries, the only blackberry native to the Pacific Northwest, are utterly delicious.
The season for little, wild mountain blackberries varies with weather conditions, mountain location and elevation. Typically, the season lasts four to six weeks, beginning early in June and ending in August or September.
These tiny berries grow throughout the coastal slopes of the Pacific Northwest, extending from Northern California to Southeastern Alaska. Favoring logged off and burned forested areas, they are often found growing alongside other wild plants including wild, alpine strawberry, bracken and fireweed. Within five to seven years, most Wild Mountain Blackberries are overrun by dense foliage.
This does not mean the berries are gone; rather they become much more difficult to find and pick. However, it is just these berries that are the largest and sweetest. We call these berries "shade berries" and they often become as large as domestic blackberries.
Two things we know about true little wild blackberry pickers: their "blackberry patches" are closely guarded secrets, and their hands often pay a sore, thorn riddled price for their labors. But, as any season picker will admit, the reward is definitely worth the price.
The tart, intense flavor and small size of this native blackberry makes it perfect for classic Northwest desserts and preserves. Little Wild Mountain Blackberry Pies and cobblers are Pacific Northwest classics. It is no wonder the renowned James Beard called Wild Mountain Blackberries "the uncrowned king of all wild berries."
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