Not only are they darn tasty, Blackberries are a top tier choice for anti-oxidants, jam-packed (excuse the pun) with polyphenols and anthocyanins; purported to help prevent cancer and heart disease. These little babies are also rich in manganese and vitamin C. Hmmm, did I already mention jam-packed?
I picked four buckets this year, and shamefully popped a few straight from the vine into my mouth when no one was looking. Yum! Despite our inglorious summer weather on the coast, it’s been perfect for growing blackberries. There’s LOTS of them!
Blackberries can be messy and will stain clothes instantly ... they don't discriminate between your Sunday best and your not-so-best, so wear that 'slumming' pair of tatters stuffed at the back of the closet for your berry picking adventure. In this area ... be sure to check your shoulder (left and right) for bears, and don't pick berries too close to the road ... unfortunately particles from the blacktop, and I imagine exhaust particles too, settle on the berries and that would seem to me to be a sure way to unbalance the benefits of the anti-oxidants. Look for more off-the-road patches.
My own four buckets of berries simmered down to about 60oz of "black gold"; slightly tart juice ready for adding a little water, a teaspoon of sugar, a squish or two of lemon and gently pouring over crystal clear ice cubes. Simply sublime … and the product of a satisfying seasonal 'pick'.
Enjoy your own “pick” this year. Let us know how you make out … and what your berries ultimately become in your kitchen. We’d love to hear how ‘berry’ creative you are :-) ~ LT
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