At Rocky Mountain Soda Co., we like to think we’re on the leading edge of advances in the soda pop industry. That starts with our beverages being vegan and gluten-free, but it doesn’t stop there. We’re also always on the lookout for exciting, and perhaps offbeat, flavors that others don’t offer. Huckleberry is a good example. Huckleberries have a mild, slightly sweet flavor that reminds a lot of people of blueberries. We’ve found the huckleberry makes an outstanding soda flavor and our customers have responded in kind.
Interesting Facts About Huckleberries
To celebrate our latest taste sensation we decided to take a close look at the huckleberry and its origins along with some fun, little-known facts about it.
The huckleberry is native to the Americas and grows naturally throughout the mountainous regions of North America, as well as in the Andes mountains of South America. The fruit of the huckleberry shrub is, of course, edible and resembles blueberries in both appearance and flavor.
With the encyclopedia stuff out of the way let’s take a look at some off-the-beaten-track facts about huckleberries you probably don’t know.
Huckleberries are typically harvested in August
Huckleberries grow wild in mountainous regions at altitudes between 2,000 and 11,000 feet. They ripen in the late summer and are usually harvested in mid-to-late August. In the US one of the best places for harvesting wild huckleberries is the area around Glacier National Park in northern Montana.
It should be noted that “harvesting” in this case is not done with huge machines, but rather by dedicated teams of intrepid souls who scour the landscape harvesting the often hard-to-find wild huckleberry by hand.
Huckleberry made its way into American slang during the 19th century
Slang is an ever-changing aspect of American English and what is in vogue today will be totally passé tomorrow. Nonetheless for about a hundred years beginning in the 19th century, the huckleberry found its way into the lexicon in the form of the following phrases:
“I’m Your Huckleberry”
Somewhere along the line the phrase “I’m your huckleberry” came to mean “I’m the right guy/girl for the job”. No one is quite sure how this inconspicuous blueberry-like fruit came to be acquainted with job qualifications but for the better part of a century the phrase was in common use, particularly throughout the American West and South.
“I’ll Be Your Huckleberry”
This is related to “I’m your huckleberry” in the sense that it too is about qualifications. It means that the person uttering the phrase is willing to do whatever task, however tough or menial, the person they’re talking to has in mind.
“My Huckleberry Friend”
Probably the most popular example of this phrase is a line from the Andy Williams (ask your grandparents) song “Moon River”. A huckleberry friend is thought to be someone with whom you have had an idyllic sort of friendship. One that is carefree and innocent. Some believe the salient reference is to the relationship between Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn in the Mark Twain novel The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.
Wild huckleberries are not easy to find
While they grow wild in mountainous regions throughout North and South America actually finding wild huckleberries is an arduous task that requires venturing into some truly out-of-the-way places. You’ll probably have to do some climbing in order to find wild huckleberry bushes. Maybe quite a bit of climbing. And even if you arrive in a place where they grow wild you might miss them because the huckleberry bush is pretty small, typically about waist height.
Huckleberries Have Resisted Domestication
Whereas just about every other type of fruit and vegetable has taken to domestication without much fuss the wild huckleberry wants nothing to do with being tied down. Researchers have in fact been trying for many years to domesticate the wild huckleberry with little success. Your best chance of copping some is still to find them in the wild.
If you decide to pursue wild huckleberries, be careful!
Humans are not the only mammals that are fond of huckleberries. Both black bears and grizzly bears love huckleberries too. So if you’re in some out-of-the-way place in the Montana countryside in search of huckleberries be careful! Especially around the hours of sunrise and sunset when bears tend to go foraging for these all-natural tasty treats.
Huckleberry is the official state fruit of Montana and Idaho
While huckleberries can be found in many locations throughout the lower 48 states the people of Montana and Idaho feel a particular affinity for them. So much so that residents of both those states have decided to make the huckleberry their official state fruit. Actually, the huckleberry has been the official state fruit of Idaho for decades, but only became the official state fruit of Montana in May 2023. Maybe they were feeling left out.
Huckleberry FAQs
Huckleberries are small, round berries that grow on shrubs in the wild, primarily in the Pacific Northwest and Rocky Mountain regions. They resemble blueberries but have a slightly more tart and complex flavor.
While huckleberries and blueberries look similar, huckleberries typically have larger seeds and a more intense, tart flavor. Huckleberries also grow on wild shrubs, whereas blueberries are often cultivated on farms.
Huckleberries grow naturally in mountainous, forested areas of the United States and Canada, especially in Idaho, Montana, and Washington. They thrive at higher elevations and are typically harvested in mid to late summer.
Huckleberries are notoriously difficult to cultivate because they rely on specific soil conditions and mycorrhizal fungi found in the wild. While some gardeners attempt to grow them, success is rare without mimicking their natural habitat.
Huckleberries have a bold, sweet-tart flavor that’s richer and more complex than blueberries. The taste can vary by variety and region, but many describe it as a balance of sweet, tangy, and earthy notes.
Yes, huckleberries are rich in antioxidants, vitamins A and C, and dietary fiber. Their antioxidant content may help reduce inflammation and support immune health, making them a nutritious addition to your diet.
Huckleberries are popular in jams, syrups, pies, and other desserts due to their vibrant flavor. They can also be used in savory dishes, sauces, or paired with game meats for a gourmet twist.
Huckleberry season usually runs from mid-July through early September, depending on elevation and weather. Late summer is typically the peak for foraging in the wild.
Yes, huckleberries are safe and delicious to eat raw. Many people enjoy them fresh from the bush, but they’re also great when added to cereals, smoothies, or baked goods.
Order Hayden Huckleberry Soda
Order our natural, full-flavored huckleberry soda through our online soda shop - available in packs of 12 to 48 bottles or cans.Order Huckleberry Soda
