Overview

Before it was a smartphone favored by bankers and lawyers around the globe, it was a fruit.

The blackberry is a luscious, deeply pigmented berry that is part of the rose family.

Also part of the rose family is the blackberry’s close cousin, the raspberry. In fact, blackberries are sometimes confused with black raspberries, which in terms of both appearance and flavor, are quite similar. One simple way to tell the difference between a blackberry and a black raspberry is that, when picked, the core of the raspberry stays behind on the branch, yielding a hollow berry. When blackberries are picked, the (edible) core remains inside the berry.

Blackberry picking is notoriously perilous to skin and even denim; the sharp prickles on the tangled canes of the blackberry bush will tear both flesh and fabric. Prickle-free varieties have been developed through crossbreeding, although most wild varieties will bear some serious prickles, so wear proper protection.

Blackberries grow wildly and abundantly across Europe and in many parts of North America, but the world’s biggest commercial producer is Mexico.

Identification

The blackberry is a soft and luscious deeply pigmented midnight-purple berry.

The berry looks like it’s composed of tiny, glossy black beads, which fuse together in a domed shape. These delicate beads hold the punchy, sweet juice that give blackberries their flavor. The berry also contains many small, crunchy, astringent seeds as well as a soft white core called a torus, both of which are edible.

Nutrition Info

One cup of raw blackberries (about 144g) has 62 calories, 2g of protein, 0.7g of fat, 13.8g of carbohydrates, 7.6g of fiber, and 7.0g of sugar. Blackberries are a good source of vitamin C and vitamin K.

Additionally, like many dark pigmented berries, blackberries are very high in antioxidants. Notably, blackberries contain uniquely high amounts of protective polyphenol compounds such as ellagic acid and anthocyanins, the latter which is responsible for the berry’s dark color.

Selection

Whole blackberries are found in most grocery stores and fresh produce markets, either fresh or frozen.

Fresh blackberries are highly perishable, so examine the products carefully before purchasing. Fresh blackberries will usually come in plastic clamshells or baskets. Look for blackberries that appear dark and plump and intact. Pass over containers that have mushy or moldy blackberries.

Frozen blackberries are an excellent option and are much more reliable in terms of buying a fresh product. In this case, choose packages that contain only blackberries, with nothing else added.

Storage

As mentioned, fresh blackberries are highly perishable, so plan on eating your blackberries within a day or two of purchasing.

If you don’t plan on eating your blackberries as soon as you get home, follow these tips to prolong their freshness:

Open your container of blackberries and pick through to remove any mushy or moldy berries, as these will contaminate the rest of the batch. Place the unwashed “good” berries back into their container or into a new container. Spreading the berries out will help preserve them and prevent molding or spoilage. Place these berries in the fridge and eat within a day or two.

Alternatively, you can also freeze your berries after picking through them. In this case, rinse them gently with water and pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel. Then, spread them out on a baking tray and place them in the freezer. (Spreading them out ensures that the berries freeze separately; freezing them in a pile will mean they will freeze clumped together, making it hard to portion out the berries later.) Once they are frozen, transfer them to a resealable bag, where they may remain frozen for up to a year.

Preparation

Fresh blackberries, with a thorough, yet gentle rinse, are ready to be eaten straight from the container. They are also delicious topped over yogurt, cooked oats, or salads, or blended into smoothies. Frozen blackberries can also be blended into smoothies, or thawed out to be used in baked goods or other recipes.