Uva Ursi, known across Europe as Bearberry, is an evergreen shrub with leathery leaves and red berries. Its Latin name means “bear’s grape,” a nod to bears that feed on its fruit. Native across the northern hemisphere, it was noted in Europe by the 13th century and formally recognized by the late 18th.
In North America, it was already well known to Indigenous peoples, who called it “kinnikinnick.” The berries were eaten raw, juiced, or ground into food, while the leaves were dried for use. Thriving in rocky soils and cold climates, Bearberry became a shared tradition on both continents.
Brewed as a tea, it produces a pale, astringent cup with earthy undertones. Its taste is distinctive ~ mildly bitter, woody, and grounding ~ an infusion that reflects the resilient nature of this shrub.
