Berry Picking in Iceland: Blueberries, Crowberries & More

A Late-Summer Tradition

Berjamó — going out to pick wild berries — is one of Iceland's quiet late-summer traditions. From roughly mid-August through September, hillsides, heaths, and lava fields across the country fill with ripe bláber (bilberries, Iceland's answer to blueberries) and krækiber (crowberries). It costs nothing, gets the whole family outdoors, and rewards a couple of hours with enough fruit for a season's worth of jam and baking.

Bláber vs. Krækiber: What's the Difference?

Both grow low to the ground on heath and moorland, and both are entirely safe to eat straight off the plant, but they're not the same berry.

• Bláber (bilberries) are the closer relative of the blueberry — dark blue-black with a deep purple flesh and juice that stains everything it touches. They're sweeter and more aromatic, and generally considered the prize find of a berry-picking trip.
• Krækiber (crowberries) are smaller, black, and grow on wiry, moss-like shrubs. They're more tart and slightly less sweet, but just as useful in the kitchen, and often more abundant.

Where and When to Pick

Berjamó season generally runs from mid-August to late September, though it varies year to year with the weather. Good spots are heathland, birch scrub, and lava-field edges away from roadsides — the Westfjords, the highlands' lower fringes, and much of the countryside around Reykjavík all have reliable patches. There's no need for a special permit to pick a modest amount for personal use in most uncultivated areas, though it's worth being considerate around private land and cultivated fields.

Tips for a Good Berry-Picking Trip

• Bring a container with a lid — a bucket or a berry rake (a simple hand tool with tines) speeds things up considerably over hand-picking.
• Wear clothes you don't mind staining; bláber juice is notoriously persistent.
• Pick in the afternoon after any morning dew has dried, since wet berries mold faster in storage.
• Sort out leaves, stems, and unripe berries once home — a quick pass on a tray makes this easier than doing it berry by berry.

What to Do With a Big Haul

Both berries freeze beautifully, which is the easiest way to stretch a good picking day across the rest of the year. Spread them on a tray to freeze individually before bagging, so they don't turn into a solid block.

From there, the options are wide open:

• Berry jam — bláber and krækiber both make excellent jam, either on their own or mixed together, which balances sweetness and tartness nicely.
• Skyr topping — a spoonful of fresh or thawed berries over plain skyr is about as simple and classic an Icelandic breakfast as exists.
• Berry sauce — gently simmered with a little sugar, it's a natural match for pancakes, waffles, or roasted meats like lamb, where a tart-sweet sauce cuts through richness.
• Baking — folded into muffins, cakes, or a crumble, much like rhubarb, berries hold up well to oven heat without losing their flavor.

Making the Most of Berry Season

Because berjamó season is short and weather-dependent, it's easy for a good haul to end up forgotten in the freezer. Slotting a berry-based breakfast or dessert into the for a few weeks after a picking trip helps make sure it actually gets eaten rather than freezer-buried until next summer. A few berry recipes are also part of Matinn's for quick inspiration.

FAQ

Are wild Icelandic berries safe to eat?

Yes. Bláber (bilberries) and krækiber (crowberries) are both safe and commonly eaten straight from the plant. As with any foraging, only pick berries you can positively identify.

When is the best time for berjamó in Iceland?

Mid-August through late September is the general window, though exact timing shifts a bit each year depending on the summer's weather. Berries ripen earlier in warmer, sunnier summers.

Do I need permission to pick wild berries in Iceland?

For personal, non-commercial amounts on uncultivated land, picking is generally accepted, but it's respectful to avoid private gardens and cultivated fields, and to check locally if picking in larger volumes.

How long do frozen berries keep?

Well-frozen bláber and krækiber keep good quality for many months in a standard freezer, making them easy to use in baking, sauces, and toppings well into winter.