FAQ
• How many pounds of berries are in 1 gallon?
1 gallon of berries is approximately 4.5 lbs. We sell the berries by the pound because that is a more accurate way of measuring them.
• What is the ORAC Score?
The ORAC Score stand for Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity. This is the standard laboratory test in the food industry to measure the antioxidant capacity of a food. It gives us an overall estimate of antioxidants in foods. Antioxidants are a group of biochemicals known to be very important to the human diet. Thousands of chemicals are considered antioxidants including vitamin C, vitamin E, flavonoids, anthocyanins, and beta carotene among others. Numerous medical studies have shown that antioxidants are extremely beneficial in fighting and preventing such common diseases as heart disease, macular degeneration, cancer, diabetes, aging and more.
• How many pies do 3 lbs of berries make?
3 lbs of berries will make two deep dish 9inch pies. 1.5 lbs of blackberries = appx. 6 cups 1.5 lbs of huckleberries or blueberries = appx. 5 cups
• How many cups of berries are in 3 lbs?
3 lbs is appx. 10 to 12 cups of berries depending on the size of the berries. Smaller berries like wild huckleberries, wild blueberries & wild lingonberries are 10 cups and larger berries like wild blackberries, marionberries or boysenberries are 12 cups.
• Where are our berries harvested?
Most of our wild berries are all handpicked in the mountains around the beautiful Pacific Northwest. We have berries coming from Washington, Idaho, Alaska and Canada. Our pickers purchase permits from the U.S. forest service and have their own secret berry patches they work from. We also have a handful of select berries harvested from Europe.
• What is the difference between huckleberries and blueberries?
Wild Huckleberries and Wild Blueberries come from the same family but are a very different berry. Wild Huckleberries only grow in the wild currently and are not harvested commercially on a farm yet. Wild huckleberries have a much more vibrant flavor then a blueberry. A blueberry will always have more bluish colors where huckleberries possess a more black, purple and red hints. Huckleberries also have 10 tiny seeds where as a blueberry has lots of small seeds. The inside guts of a blueberry is also whitish in color whereas the huckleberry is always bluish in color.
• What is the difference between Mt. St. Helens Huckleberries and Idaho Huckleberries?
Mt. St. Helens huckleberries are picked in the Mt. St. Helens area here in Washington State and are very similar to the Idaho huckleberries. In general they are a slightly larger berry with a bit more color however to the regular eye it would be difficult to see the difference.
• How are our berries packaged?
We package our berries in a 1.5 lb bag that is heat sealed on each end. 1.5 lbs of berries is the perfect amount to make 1 x 9 inch pie.
• How are our berries shipped?
Most of our frozen products are shipped in compostable coolers with dry ice. We package our orders with the most innovative methods to keep them frozen and they should remain frozen for up the 3 days. We have our methods tried and tested for over 10 years and guarantee them to arrive frozen.
• What is the difference between a red and blue huckleberry?
The blue huckleberry is a much sweeter berry used for pies, ice cream toppings, muffins, etc. The red huckleberry is a much tarter berry that goes great as a topping on fish or other meats.
• When is the huckleberry harvest season?
Huckleberry season depends on the weather each year but generally lasts about a month or so beginning in August.
• What does IQF mean?
IQF stand for individually quality frozen. This means we individually freeze each berry before packaging them so they won’t clump together. This leaves the berries easily workable to take as many or few as you want at one time.
• How are our blackberries different from others?
Our wild blackberries (Rubis ursinus) are the tiny ones that only grow in the foothills of the Pacific Northwest 2 to 4 years after an area has been clear-cut or burned out. Our blackberries are the only native wild blackberries found in the northwest. They grow along the ground on a small vine reaching up to 20 feet long. Often, little wild blackberries continue growing even when blocked by overgrowth blocking out their sunlight. The berries are much smaller then other species of blackberries are having a much richer flavor. Many people think this berry makes the best pie ever! This variety of blackberry is not farmed due to the difficult growing conditions required.
• What is included in our fresh chefs mushrooms mix?
Our chefs mushroom mix is a variety pack of seasonally fresh mushrooms that may include 3 or more of the following mushrooms: Golden chanterelles, morels, black trumpet, porcini, shiitake, oyster, lions mane, pioppini or hedgehog. A great way to taste all the wild and organic mushrooms that the Pacific Northwest has to offer!
• How do I handle the dry ice in my shipment?
Dry ice is used to keep our products frozen. Always handle the dry ice with care. Gloves or an oven mitt are recommended for handling it. Short contact with the skin (1 or 2 seconds) will not harm your skin but prolonged contact will damage your skins cells. Leave the dry ice in a ventilated area and allow it to sublimate from a solid to a gas. This could be in a sink, outside or in a garage.
• Where are we located? – What hours are we open?
We are located in Burlington, WA. It is a small farming town about an hour north of Seattle directly off I-5. We are here to answer the phones Monday though Friday from 9 am to 5 pm PST (if we don’t answer the phone leave a message and we will get back to you ASAP)
• How can I track my package?
After placing your order you will receive an email with a tracking number the day your order has shipped. This will allow you to track the package anytime until delivery.
• What happens if there is a shipping issue?
If there is a shipping issue and your package is mis-delivered or delivered late and your package is thawed, please take pictures and notify us within 48 hours. The best number to call is 866 945 3232 or you can e-mail us at thebear@nwwildfoods.com.