Foraging for Jams & Jellies

Foraging is not just about collecting plants for herbal remedies. You can forage for fruits and berries that you can turn into delicious jams, jellies, or syrups. Huckleberries are hands down the most popular wild fruit to forage in our area. It is so popular here that each family's favorite foraging spot is a closely guarded secret. Our family likes huckleberry jam, but we enjoy having a variety of flavors to fill the pantry. A few of our favorites from foraged fruits are mixed berry (consisting of whatever blend of berries we happen to have on hand that year), serviceberry, and Oregon grape.

Fruits and Berries

Here is a list of fruits & berries you might have growing wild in your area that you can forage to make jams, jellies, and syrups. There are many more possibilities, this is just a sampling!

  • Huckleberry
  • Blackberry
  • Wild Raspberry
  • Wild Strawberry
  • Serviceberry
  • Thimbleberry
  • Currant
  • Gooseberry
  • Elderberry
  • Oregon Grape
  • Apples
  • Wild Plum
  • Rose Hips


 
Oregon grape and serviceberry foraged from our property

We have yet to try thimbleberry jam. We haven't ever foraged enough of them to be able to make a batch of jam yet. Nonetheless, I am eager to try it.

Flowers

You can even forage flowers to make jellies. Here are a few ideas:

  • Rose Petals
  • Lilac
  • Dandelion


How do you make jelly out of flowers? The simple explanation is that you first make a tea from the petals and then use the tea to make jelly. Check out our "Three Flowers You Can Forage to Make Jelly" article on our website where we have links to recipes you can try.


Foraging Notes

Be sure to review the foraging laws in your state to identify areas where foraging is allowed. Laws can vary by state. If you find a spot on private property, be sure to get the owner's permission before foraging. 

Remember to always properly identify any plant before you harvest and to pick responsibly. Happy foraging!


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