Eastern Wintergreen / Teaberry (Gaultheria procumbens)

Family: Ericaceae | Edibility: Choice Edible (4/5)

A diminutive creeping evergreen subshrub (2-6 inches high) forming glossy carpets in acidic forest understories, featuring leathery oval leaves that release an unmistakable wintergreen aroma when crushed, and persistent bright red winter berries.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Leaves, Berries

Harvest Seasons: Year-round, Fall, Winter, Spring

Flavor & Culinary Uses

Intensely clean, cooling, aromatic sweet wintergreen and birch-like freshness with a hint of marshmallow — Ripe red teaberries nibbled fresh straight from underneath winter snowbanks; Leaves fermented slightly in warm water inside a sealed glass jar for 2-3 days to release methyl salicylate, then heated for teaberry tea; Fresh leaves infused into heavy cream for traditional Pennsylvania Dutch Teaberry ice cream; Berries added to wild grain pancakes or fruit crumbles

Habitat & North American Range

Acidic conifer woods, oak-hemlock forests, sterile sand barrens, and mountain slopes. (Zone 3, Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7)