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There's so much to enjoy about summer. Everything is in full bloom from backyard vegetable gardens to farmers' markets bursting with summer vegetables and freshly picked fruits. And perhaps the sweetest hauls you can tote home with you are all the different types of berries. Sure, you can get a lot of them all year round but they're truly at their best when they are in season and local.
Of course, when it comes to berry types found here in the U.S., you can probably rattle off the most popular: strawberries, blueberries, raspberries. But within those fruit groups, you'll find so many varietals that are worth seeking out. For instance, did you know there are 150 types of blueberries? Or have you ever tasted a black raspberry? Go ahead and ask you local vendors what they have available. You may be pleasantly surprised!
Then, there are so many other types of berries beyond the most commonly named ones. Have you ever tried a tart gooseberry? Or what about the common blueberry's little cousin from the Pacific Northwest, the huckleberry? While there are certainly way more than ten types of berries listed here, these are a great place to start your berry exploration. So scroll through and then head to your local market to enjoy the sweetest season yet!
Why stop at berries? Enjoy these next:
Strawberries
Depending on where you live, you can see strawberries crop up locally as early as late spring. But mostly, they're at their peak in June and July. 80 percent of the strawberries available are Monterey, which are big, sweet, and juicy. But be on the lookout for other varieties like Albion (which are more conical in shape) and even tiny wild strawberries. Stock up and freeze them no matter which kind you choose, so you can enjoy strawberry desserts all year round.
Raspberries
Red raspberries are the perfect balance of sweet and tart. They're also pretty easy to find no matter where you live and any time of the year. But if you want them truly in season when they'll be extra sweet, look for them between June to September. And don't just stop on red! Look for golden raspberries or black raspberries (no, they're no the same as blackberries). They're both rich and sweet and make excellent swaps in homemade raspberry jam.
Blueberries
If you're lucky enough to live near a pick-your-own farm, head out to enjoy a day in the sunshine working for your future blueberry desserts. Blueberries are typically at their peak in July and August, but some warmer climates may seem them as early as April. And be sure to seek out different kinds! There are about 150 varieties available across the country, including lowbush wild blueberries that have a more concentrated flavor.
Blackberries
While they are available in supermarkets pretty much all year round like the other popular berries, there's no mistaking the juicy sweetness of an in-season ripe blackberry. Their peak is late summer, between July and August, though you can find them as late as October depending on the weather. Their tart-but-sweet flavor make them ideal for blackberry cobbler with a big scoop of ice cream, but they can also be subbed for raspberries in pretty much any recipe.
Red Currants
While there are several types of currants (such as black currants and white currants), you'll see red currants more commonly in markets. They're quite tart little members of the gooseberry family, which you will typically find from late June to early August. If you aren't quite sure what to do with them, try mixing them in a fruit salad or turning them into jam that you can enjoy throughout the year.
Gooseberries
Gooseberries aren't indigenous to the Americas, but you will see them cultivated here now. While they come in a variety of colors, green and red are the most popular. They look similar to grapes but with little veined stripes. The flavor is both tart and sour like a cross between a sour grape and rhubarb, but it mellows out when ripe or cooked to taste more like a kiwi.
Boysenberries
If you like raspberries and blackberries, then boysenberries are a must-try. They taste like a cross between the two and look like it, too. They ripen to be very plump and juicy and might be harder to find because they don't transport well. They're more common on the Pacific Coast from late May to early July. If you can't find them, look for similar options like loganberries or marionberries.
Huckleberries
If you happen to be in the Northwest between mid-July and mid-September, you can't escape the huckleberry fever. And you won't want to if you love blueberries. No, they aren't the same but they are related! With a similar shape and color, huckleberries are often smaller with a more tart flavor like their other cousin: the cranberry.
Mulberries
Red mulberries are native to the Eastern United States. Like a lot of other indigenous berries, they don't travel well so you'll most likely find them in hyperlocal spots. Conical in shape and grown on trees, they only have a shelf life of a few days once picked, so eat them fast. You'll find them between mid-June and August, and they taste like a cross between raspberries and blackberries.
Cranberries
Don't fret when summer ends, because there's one berry you can cherish when it's colder: cranberries! They're typically available between September and November (hence why they're so popular for Thanksgiving) and their very tart flavor means they're better in cooked dishes than eaten raw. They freeze really well, so you stock up before the holiday season and enjoy them the full year until the next harvest.
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