Selection and storage
Blackberry season generally lasts from June until September. Fresh berries can either be handpicked or harvested using machines in large-scale farms. In general, the berries are ready to be harvested once they come off the receptacle easily and have turned into a deep color. At that stage they are supposed to ripen well and the sweetest.
In the stores, choose fresh berries featuring bright, shiny, completely black, and plump in constancy. In general, the berries are packed in a solid box, spread out evenly in a single layer.
Avoid unripe (purple), overripe, bruised, damaged, and mushy (soft) berries. In general, the berries are highly perishable and sensitive to handling. At home, use them as soon as possible.
To store, place them in the refrigerator where they stay fresh for up to 4-5 days.
Preparation and serving methods
Fresh blackberries can be eaten out of hand directly from the bush. If you are purchasing from the stores, they are best used immediately.
To prepare, do not wash them until you are ready to use. Just rinse in a bowl of cold water, and swish around to remove any surface dirt. Gently fish them out
of the water and pat dry using an absorbent towel. This method will also help revive them back to normal room temperature, increase their flavor, and enrich their taste.
Here are some serving tips:
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| Blackberry muffin!- Photo courtesy: faul |
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Blackberries make a delicious addition to fruit/vegetable salads. They can be added to ice-creams.
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Add pureed, and sieved to prepare juice, jams, jellies, syrup, and sorbet.
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Pureed, and sieved, added in juice, jams, jellies, syrup, and sorbet preparations.
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They add a special flavor to muffins, bread, pie, pastry, crumbles, tarts, and puddings.
Safety profile
Allergy to blackberries is uncommon and rare. There are only a few reported cases, particularly in some sensitized
individuals. The reaction may be thought to be due to the presence of salicylic acid in the berries which, may cause symptoms like swelling and
redness of mouth, lips, and tongue, eczema, hives, skin rash, headache, runny nose, itchy eyes, wheezing, gastrointestinal
disturbances, depression, hyperactivity, and insomnia. Individuals who suspect an allergy to these fruits may want to avoid them. (Medical disclaimer).
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Further resources:
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Growing blackberries-Department of fruit science, Missouri state university(pdf-Link opens in new window).
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Stanford School of Medicine Cancer information Page- Nutrition to Reduce Cancer Risk (Link opens in new window).
