cloudberries

Cloudberries (Rubus chamaemorus) are a perennial, low-growing member of the rose family native to the cool temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. The amber-orange berry is highly aromatic and consists of many drupelets, with a delicate, tart-sweet flavor and a soft, juicy texture. The plant forms a creeping, rhizomatous stand, usually 10–20 cm tall, with leaves made up of three to five leaflets and white to pale pink flowers that bloom in early summer. The fruit ripens in midsummer and is extremely perishable.

Cloudberries grow on acidic, waterlogged soils in bogs, fens, and wet meadows. They are found across northern Europe, Asia, and North America, including Scandinavia, Russia, Canada, and Alaska, and are strongly associated with Arctic and boreal landscapes. Climate conditions influence fruiting, and warming trends can affect some populations.

Harvesting and cultivation: most berries are wild-harvested; commercial cultivation is limited and experimental. Plants are slow to establish, and heavy yields require careful, repeated hand-picking, contributing to the reputation of cloudberries as a challenging harvest. Some cultivation exists in Nordic countries, but wild harvest remains dominant.

Uses and culinary role: in Nordic cuisines, cloudberries are eaten fresh when available and widely used to make jams, desserts, sauces, and liqueurs, often paired with cream or sugar. They are valued for their distinctive aroma and color, ranging from pale amber to bright orange.

Nutrition and storage: cloudberries are a good source of vitamin C and fiber and contain minerals and antioxidants. Due to their fragility, they are usually processed quickly or preserved by freezing or jam-making.