Salmonberries are raspberry-shaped fruit ranging in colour from pale yellow to deep orange found across much of the Pacific Northwest. The berries can be slightly bitter to sweet and are often snacked upon by passing hikers.
They are usually not found for sale unless at small farm stands and markets, although they make passable jams and preserves if enough can be collected.
They grow on bushes up to two meters tall with broad, fuzzy leaves. Salmonberries have small pink flowers that mature into fruits between June and August, depending on the latitude and elevation of the bush. The plant thrives along streams and in moist forests, preferring damp soil and partial sunlight.
We collect and store large amounts of these berries in our freezer for winter use. we place them on cookie sheets and freeze them, then we bag them in 2-ounce bags.