Blackberries

In England and in some parts of America, Blackberry bushes grow so wild and rampant that some firms specialize in their removal! They flower in clusters, which then develop into berries somewhat resembling raspberries in that a "single" berry is multi-clustered. In urban settings, we have to pay dearly for these, but in rural settings, they are easily gathered along roads. Just mind the thorns!

When ripe, the berries will be black, glossy, and soft without being mooshy. If you are making preserves, you may want slightly less ripe ones which will be a bit harder and have a bit more pectin, though they will also be tart. Blackberries develop mould very quickly when crushed, so if you are buying them fresh in a container check the container for any signs of juice will which indicate crushed berries.

A Blackberry isn't a "true" berry. It is an agglomeration of individual berries known as a "drupelet."

When harvested in August, they may still be slightly tart. Into September, and they'll have reached their full sweetness. Both stages of ripeness are acceptable. Traditionally, they should not be picked after Michaelmas (29 September.) See calendar entry on "Devil Spits Day." Wash only when you are ready to use (or freeze) them. If you purée them, you may wish to strain them to remove the seeds.1 pound blackberries = 450g = 3 1/2 cups blackberries = 1 1/2 pints = 1 1/2 cup mashed

Pick over and discard any crushed or mouldy berries. Refrigerate unwashed for up to two days spread out and covered with dampened paper towel.

Blackberries freeze well and stay whole after thawing -- that is to say, they don't collapse into moosh.

Blackberries grow wild in many English hedge-rows. The alternative name, Brambleberries, comes from an old name for the bush "brambel", meaning prickly.

They were known and used by the Hebrews and the Greeks.

Peters, Rick. Seasonal food: blackberries. Manchester: The Guardian. 9 September 2010.

Also called:

Blackberries, Dewberries, Karaka Black Berries, King's Acre Berries, Kotata Berries, Marion Berries, Ranui Berries, Veitchberries

Açaí Berries, Akala Berries, Aronia Berries, Baba Berries, Barberries, Bilberries, Black Gooseberries, Blueberries, Buffalo Currants, Bumbleberries, Cape Gooseberries, Cloudberries, Cranberries, Currants, Elderberries, Garden Huckleberries, Gooseberries, Haw Flakes, Hawthorne Berries, Huckleberry, Hudson Bay Currants, Jostaberries, Lingonberries, Mulberries, Otaheite Gooseberry, Raspberries, Red Currants, Saskatoon Berries, Sea Buckthorn, Serendipity Berries, Strawberries, Sunberries, Tayberries, Thimbleberries, Ugni, Waimate Berries, White Currants, Wineberries, Wonderberries, Worcesterberries, Worcesterberries

Cherries, Grapes

Bananas, Candied Fruit, Dried Fruit, Fruit, Hard Fruit, Olives