Oregon Grapes, Has anyone ever done anything with them?

[OlympicMtDoo]

Has anyone ever used Oregon Grapes in anything? I have walked through on and around those berries all my life and often wondered if they were edible. There are thousands of them in the woods everywhere in the PNW. They are a very nice looking berry and from what I have found are edible and the plant roots have medical uses as well. I take my dogs for a walk most everyday through the trails in the woods around my place and walk by a million of these berries and just wonder what kind of a drink could be made from them??? OMD

[Wildcats]

Probably make some great wine.

[greggn]

Probably make some great wine.

Based on what ?

[Deplorable]

Probably make some great wine.

I doubt it, While nontoxic, they are sour/bitter.
Native Americans used to blend them with huckleberries, and Salal berries to sweeten the flavor. Their more common use for the natives was as a dye.
Their medicinal value needs more studies, but as a herbal remedy, there are several uses, but they can be toxic in excessive amounts.

[Wildcats]

When I think grapes. I think wine/brandy. So I would think it's reasonable that wild grapes could be used for making wine. I guess not though.

[Deplorable]

They're not really grapes. They're more like Berries.

[Bushman]

They're not really grapes. They're more like Berries.
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I also see these berries all over. I was thinking of Grappa. After doing a Google search I found that it is used in tea and also for medical purposes by also using the root. Here is just one link I found.
https://www.growforagecookferment.com/f ... gon-grape/

[Wildcats]

Welp that link says it possible to make Mead with them... So might be worth a try if you could get enough of em..

[NormandieStill]

They are apparently very low in sugar, so whatever you make you'll probably need to either add sugar, or forage 100s of kilos if you plan on distilling the wine.

[OlympicMtDoo]

Thanks for the input guys, doesn't sound like they would be worth the work to use them. It's just that they are such a pretty berry and there is millions of them around, seems like a waist. Think I'll just focus on some of the tons of apples going to waist around here too. There is a State park near me that was an old homestead that gets very little use and there are couple of old orchards on it with tons of apples for the taking. I think my time and energy would be better spent there. OMD

[Wildcats]

Thanks for the input guys, doesn't sound like they would be worth the work to use them. It's just that they are such a pretty berry and there is millions of them around, seems like a waist. Think I'll just focus on some of the tons of apples going to waist around here too. There is a State park near me that was an old homestead that gets very little use and there are couple of old orchards on it with tons of apples for the taking. I think my time and energy would be better spent there. OMD

What is it Cranky says.... " the best apples are free apples" wish I had that resource here in Kentucky. Not many apples around here though.

[Deplorable]

Thanks for the input guys, doesn't sound like they would be worth the work to use them. It's just that they are such a pretty berry and there is millions of them around, seems like a waist. Think I'll just focus on some of the tons of apples going to waist around here too. There is a State park near me that was an old homestead that gets very little use and there are couple of old orchards on it with tons of apples for the taking. I think my time and energy would be better spent there. OMD

What is it Cranky says.... " the best apples are free apples" wish I had that resource here in Kentucky. Not many apples around here though.

Wasn't Johnny Applseed from around there?

[The Baker]

Might be wort macerating in the spirit, just for the flavour.
Or use in gin??

Geoff