Blackberry Season

 

Today we would like to introduce you to the blackberry, one of the berry representatives which is – strictly speaking – an aggregate of drupes and not a berry.

Everyone knows and loves this summer dessert in which the blackberry plays a major role. Finally, a treat that doesn’t require any exotic fruits, but is easy to prepare during the summer from locally available fruit. We took a closer look at the blackberry fruit.

 

From prickly shrub to plantation fruit

 

Caution should be advised when approaching hidden forest clearings – not because of wild animals, but wild prickly berry bushes.  Wild blackberries also feel at ease in somewhat cooler climates, which is why their habitat is in the northern hemisphere: Europe, Asia, and North America. Their name comes from the Old High German word bramberi, which roughly translates as a thorn bush. However, in order to facilitate the cultivation of the rose plant, the plant has been bred in such a way that only thorn-free blackberry plants are found on plantations.

In late summer, the individual small berries that make up the blackberry fruit become ripe: then they are firm, juicy and darker in color. If the fruit is easily removed from the shrub, that is a sign that the blackberry is ready to be eaten. Native blackberries can be found commercially from the end of July, with August being peak season.

The blackberry season ends in October at the latest. During this time, whoever happens to come across these black fruits in the supermarket should take a closer look at the country of origin. These products often come from South and Central America or New Zealand. And since the best eating quality blackberries don’t last long, goods from overseas are frequently imported by air – a real climate killer.

Storing and preserving blackberries

 

Blackberry Jelly

You don’t need to have blackberries from overseas. Even when they’re not in season, you won’t have to do without blackberries: frozen products are a good alternative to fresh fruit. Those who want to create a frozen food supply would benefit a great deal from the following tips:

  • So that the individual berry fruits don’t freeze together and are well portioned, spread the blackberries out on a freezer tray or a plate and freeze the fruits after washing and dabbing them dry.
  • In addition, you can sprinkle the berries with sugar – that way, the color and taste will be better preserved.
  • The blackberries will last for more than a year in the freezer compartment without any problems.

The freezer tray by Liebherr is perfect for freezing berries

 

Storing Blackberries

Fresh blackberries are very sensitive and should be eaten or processed as soon as possible after purchase. The soft fruit only lasts for about a day in the fridge, but in the BioFresh compartment, it stays fresh in the HydroSafe for several days. In order to get the perfect blackberries, it’s important when shopping to make sure that the blackberry skin doesn’t already have any juice spots on the bottom. The fruits should be firm, stocky and shiny.