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Wild Berries That You Can Eat Without Dying

Wild Berries That You Can Eat Without Dying

By Food & Wine

Updated July 05, 2016

Credit: © Hans Huber/Getty Images

Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries may be the mass market—the Kardashian family of berries—but that shouldn’t stop you from sampling the less popular varieties. In fact, if you’re camping or hiking and on the hunt for a new culinary experience, you may find a new favorite from the list below. Check out some of the best wild berries that nature has to offer. Editor’s Note: We strongly advise you to consult an expert before trying anything in the wild. There are many poisonous variations of berries that look extremely similar to the ones on this list. And let’s face it, being taken out by a fruit the size of your fingernail is not the coolest way to go.

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Elderberries

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Respect your elderberries. These small berries are also frequently used for cordials, liquors and wines. And that’s something we can get behind.

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Cloudberries

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They may look like pieces of brain matter, but these golden-yellow fruits are actually quite delicious. You’ll have to brave the tundra and head far north to find them, as the tart clusters flourish in extreme winter temperatures.

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Buffaloberries

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These should really be called “bearberries” since the ferocious animals feast on them in mass before going into hibernation. For humans, the taste can be quite bitter, which means we’ll stick to Ben & Jerry’s and pizza before going into our own version of hibernation.

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Salmonberries

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Don’t let the name fool you. These don’t taste like they've been swimming upstream. In fact, they’ll remind you of raspberries. Why "salmon?" The berries were traditionally eaten with the fish. If the name still grosses you out, look for their pretty pink flowers.

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Chokeberries

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If you’re a fan of Sour Patch Kids, you’ll want to get your hands on these pucker-inducing berries from the swamp. But please use caution and avoid living up to their namesake.

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Mulberries

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Here we go round the mulberry bush to collect this native berry that is dried and used for tea and snacking. Their blue-black, red and white color offerings also make them quite patriotic.

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Huckleberries

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No trip to Montana or Idaho is complete without hearing a local talk about his affinity for huckleberries. These sweet berries resemble blueberries, but take on a slightly grittier texture. Try them in syrup form on pancakes and you won’t be disappointed.

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Dewberries

These are essentially blackberries that offer the taste and feel of a raspberry. If you're looking to confuse your tastebuds, you can find these predominantly in Texas.

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Saskatoon Berries

Move over, acai berry. These fruits pack a nutritional punch, containing higher protein, fiber, calcium, magnesium and vitamin levels than their blueberry twins. You'll need to head to Canada to try them, eh.

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Gooseberries

If you're a pessimist and in the mood to sample sour grapes, you'll want to get a taste of these funny-shaped guys. But just because they're sour doesn't mean you can't still put them to good use.

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Barberries

You probably won't want to binge eat these highly-acidic and waxy tubes, but their significant pectin content makes them great for jams. The shoots that protect them are barbed and meant to keep away predators. Feel free to throw a bushel at the nearest mountain lion*. (*Please don't actually do this.)

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