Although incredibly common here along the Oregon coast and even a nuisance at times due to its invasive nature, the salal berry is perhaps one of the most under appreciated and wildly abundant fruits of the Pacific Northwest. Salal can only be found along the Pacific coastline from Southeast Alaska all the way down to central California, and despite its current unpopularity, salal berries have been an important food source for Native Americans throughout history.
With the flavor of a slightly sweet, earthy blueberry, salal berries make a delicious and incredibly healthy snack this time of the year, not only for us humans, but they’re also a favorite food source for deer, squirrels, chipmunks, foxes, coyotes and black bears. Even my chickens love them!
So the next time you spot salal growing wild in our coastal forests, along our river banks, and even growing abundantly right along Highway 101, be sure to harvest a few before they’re gone for the season to make this deliciously refreshing Salal Berry Lemonade.
Salal Berry LemonadeÂ
Ingredients:
• 1 cup sugar
• 5 cups water (divided)
• 1 1/2 cups fresh-squeezed lemon juice (from approximately 8-9 lemons)
• 1 cup fresh salal berries
Directions:
• Start by making a simple syrup by combining the sugar and 1 cup of the water in a small saucepan. Heat over medium heat, until the sugar completely dissolves. Set aside to cool while you juice the lemons.
• Juice the lemons. Strain out any seeds and pulp.Â
• In a small blender, combine 1 cup salal berries with 1 cup water. Blend, then strain out seeds and skin.
• In a pitcher, combine the simple syrup, lemon juice, salal juice and remaining 3 cups water. Stir. Enjoy!Â
Salal Berry Lemonade can be served immediately, but is best chilled in the refrigerator for a few hours before serving. Serve over ice.
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Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.