Wild Berries and Berry Picking

When people in Alaska have been asked why they pick berries, the answers cover a wide range of reasons. Some of the reasons are: family fun, family tradition, commune with nature, berries are there, to make jellies and jams, and subsistence. Regardless of the reasons, the berry picking season is viewed with great anticipation by many Alaskans.Here are some tips for picking, transporting, and storing the berries that will lead to finer quality berries and berry products once the cooking and eating stages are reached.

• Take along extra berry buckets so single buckets aren’t overfilled. If buckets become overfilled, the weight of the berries will crush those near the bottom of the bucket making them harder to clean causing loss of berries and juice.

• While picking berries, include some slightly under ripe berries in the bucket. Under ripe berries contain more pectin and will help ensure that jams, jellies, and other jellied products thicken properly.

• Place filled berry buckets in a cooler in the trunk of the car, or place the berry buckets on the floor of the back seat of the car so they stay cool on the trip. Place a tight fitting lid on the buckets to avoid spills.

• At home, leave the berries in the cooler or place them in the refrigerator until they can be cleaned and prepared for long term-storage.

• Berries should be cleaned as soon as possible. They do not need to be washed unless they have been picked near a road or populated area. Experienced berry pickers recommend rolling berries down a towel-covered board to remove leaves and debris. Some berries, such as rose hips, require further preparation to remove stem and blossom ends. If you decide to wash the berries, wash 1 to 2 quarts at a time and drain. Berries do not need to be soaked for general cleaning.

• Fresh, cleaned berries should be used within a few days or preserved for long-term storage. The choice of preservation methods is determined by the planned use of the berries; the methods include freezing, drying, canning, and preserving as jellied products.

• Freeze berries and preserve them the same day of harvest for best quality. Select berries with fresh sweet flavor, deep colors, and firm textures; ones at peak maturity for eating fresh.

A common problem faced by berry pickers is berry stains on hands and clothing. To remove berry stains from hands, rub hands with lemon juice and rinse thoroughly. To remove berry stains from clothing, promptly soak berry-stained clothing in cool water for at least 30 minutes or overnight. If stains remain in clothing after soaking, try one of the following methods: 1) work undiluted detergent into the stain and rinse, then launder as usual; or 2) if appropriate for the fabric, stretch the stained area over a bowl and pour boiling water from a height of 1 to 3 feed through the stain, then work undiluted detergent into any remaining stain, rinse, and launder as usual.To find out more details on uses for wild berries, individual berries, and recipes contact the CES office located in room 114/115 of the Jarvis Office Center, or call 895-4215.