This article explores the types of huckleberry, its nutrition, health benefits, how it differs from blueberry, and the simple huckleberry recipes you can try at home. Keep reading. Huckleberries are available in different varieties whose taste and color differ. They are region-specific and have many applications in the food and beverages industry. Continue reading to know the most common types of huckleberries.

Types Of Huckleberries

Red Huckleberry (Vaccinium parvifolium)

It is native to Western North America, and the shrub grows from 6 feet to 12 feet. The berry has a tart and sour taste and is used to make pies, jellies, and jams.

Oval Leaf Huckleberry (Vaccinium ovalifolium)

The shrub grows from 1.3 ft to 12 ft and the leaves are oval. The fruit is a blue‐black berry with a whitish bloom and is used in jellies, jams, liquors, and dyes (Russia).

Cascade Huckleberry (Vaccinium deliciosum)

This berry has an intensely sweet flavor and can be eaten fresh, dried, or cooked. The shrub cannot grow more than 1.5 ft.

Evergreen Huckleberry (Vaccinium ovatum)

Also known as winter huckleberry or California huckleberry, this fruit is found in coastal forests at low elevations from central California to British Columbia. These berries are sweeter than blueberries and can be eaten raw, dried, and used in jellies and jams.

Big Huckleberry (Vaccinium membranaceum)

This fruit is also popular as thin leaf, mountain, or tall huckleberry. It is found in coniferous forests at mid‐to‐high elevations from California to Alaska and east to the Rockies. The shrub can grow up to 1.5 m, and the berry can be eaten raw, dried, frozen, canned, or made into jam. These fruits are low in calories and almost devoid of fat. Keep reading to know more about the nutritional breakdown of huckleberries.

Nutritional Profile Of Huckleberries

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 100g of huckleberries (raw) contain (1): Huckleberries are also rich in plant polyphenols and anthocyanins that benefit your health in many ways. We will explore some of the important benefits of huckleberries in the following section.

Health Benefits Of Huckleberry

The high polyphenolic and phytonutrient content in huckleberries help reduce the risk of heart problems. A study conducted by the Medical University of Lodz (Poland) found that plant polyphenols may help improve endothelial function and prevent clumping of platelets and blood clots. These antithrombotic (anti-blood clotting) and anti-inflammatory properties of polyphenols may reduce cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk (2). A review published in Advances in Nutrition also suggests that increased intake of anthocyanins may improve endothelial function and pro-inflammatory biomarkers. This may help lower CVD risk. However, more studies are warranted to understand this benefit of anthocyanins (3). Besides, many species of Vaccinium were found effective in decreasing high blood pressure, which is one of the main causes of heart disease (4). Moreover, anthocyanins in berries act as an antioxidant and may suppress and reduce the risk of cancer (5). These compounds may also improve neuronal and cognitive brain functions besides protecting genomic DNA integrity (6). Moreover, epidemiological studies strongly suggest that long-term intake of diets rich in polyphenols may also protect against cancers, diabetes, osteoporosis (weak and brittle bones), and neurodegenerative diseases (7). The high vitamin C content of huckleberries also helps improve immune health. This potent antioxidant helps act against oxidative stress and pathogens and prevents excess call damage (8). Berries from the Vaccinium family have the potential to prevent and treat urinary tract infections (9). Besides, anecdotal evidence suggests that huckleberries may help relieve back pain. Ripe huckleberries are sweet with a little tartness. But how do you eat them? Let us find out.

How To Eat Huckleberries?

Though huckleberries can be eaten fresh, they are often made into tasty beverages, jams, puddings, candies, syrups, and other foods.

Use huckleberries to make delicious muffins, pies, or cobblers. You can even use them for savory dishes like lemony quinoa with chickpeas and huckleberries. Some find huckleberries unpleasant when eaten raw because of their meaty texture. Hence, it is best to cook them instead. You can even preserve their tart/sweet flavor with jams and jellies.

Are huckleberries and blueberries the same? If no, how do they differ? Keep scrolling to know the answer.

Huckleberries Vs. Blueberries

The two berries are closely related and belong to the same family. However, huckleberries grow in small clusters and blueberries in large ones. Blueberries are white inside while huckleberries are either deep purple or red. Moreover, blueberries are soft inside with softer seeds while huckleberries have larger seeds that give the fruit a slight crunch. Low-calorie huckleberries are a perfect addition to your diet. Here, we bring to you three delicious huckleberries to try at home.

Huckleberries Recipes To Try

1. Huckleberry Jam

What You Need

Wild huckleberries – 1 cup Fresh lemon juice – 2 teaspoons Cane sugar – 1 cup Classic powdered pectin – 2 teaspoons

Process

2. Huckleberry Buckle

What You Need

Huckleberries – 2½ cups Butter – ¼ cup and 1 tablespoon All-purpose flour – 1 cup White sugar – ½ cup and ¾ cup Baking powder – 1 teaspoon Salt – ¼ teaspoon Milk – ½ cup Boiling water – ½ cup

Process

3. Huckleberry Cheese Pie

What You Need For Butter Crunch Crust

Brown sugar – ¼ cup All-purpose flour – 1 cup Cold butter – ½ cup Finely chopped nuts – ½ cup

For Cheese Filling

Whipped cream – 1 cup Cream cheese – 1 package (8 ounces) Vanilla extract – 1 teaspoon Confectioners’ sugar – ¾ cup

For Fruit Topping

Fresh huckleberries – 2 cups Sugar – ½ cup Corn starch – 4½ teaspoons Water – ½ cup Butter – 1½ teaspoons Dash salt

Process Note: Huckleberries have no recorded side effects. Practice caution if you are allergic to blueberries. Are huckleberries a superfood? Yes, huckleberries can be considered a superfood. They are loaded with many beneficial nutrients that help reduce the risk of oral diseases, ocular diseases, and arthritis. When should you eat huckleberries? Huckleberries should be eaten when they are entirely ripe. They should be dark black and must have a slightly soft texture. Do huckleberries have vitamin K? Yes, huckleberries have a decent amount of vitamin K. Are huckleberries poisonous? Huckleberries are not poisonous. However, garden huckleberries can be toxic if consumed raw. Does huckleberry tea have caffeine? No, huckleberry tea does not contain caffeine.

References:

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