Sweet, succulent blackberries are summer delicacies in the northern temperate regions. As in raspberries, they too grow on shrubs known as "brambles". The plant is native to sub-arctic Europe, and now-a-days grown at commercial scale in North America, particularly in the USA, to as far as Siberia.
Binomially, brambles are a small perennial shrubs belonging to the vast Rosaceae family of bush berries, in the genus: Rubus. Botanical name: Rubus fruticosus.
Blackberries nutrition facts
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| nutrition fact of blackberries |
Depending upon cultivar type, blackberry bush can be classified into erect, semi-erect, and trailing types. Erect type bush generally features cane thorns, and spreads by root suckers (which send cane shoots) along the hedgerows. Whereas, trailing shrubs require trellis to support growth, and spread through fresh shoots known as canes or primocanes. During the second year, these primocanes become floricanes. White or pink flowers appear in the floricanes.
Technically, blackberry is an aggregate fruit consisting of small drupelets arranged in circular fashion. Each drupelet composes of juicy pulp with single tiny seed. Each berry measures about 3-4 cm in length containing about 80-100 drupelets.
Loganberries and phenomenon-berriesare hybrids between blackberry and red raspberry. Several other bramble berries such as boysenberry, nessberry, youngberry, marionberry etc., are hybrids of dewberry, blackberry, and wild raspberry cultivars.
Health benefits of blackberries
- As in other kinds of bush berries, blackberries too packed with numerous plant nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, anti-oxidants, and dietary fibers that are essential for optimum health.
The berries are very low in calories. 100 g provide just 43 calories. Nonetheless, they are rich in soluble and insoluble fiber (100 g whole berries consist of 5.3 g or 14% RDA of fiber). Xylitol is a low-calorie sugar substitute existing in the fiber content. It absorbed into the blood at a rate slower than glucose inside the gut. It, thus, helps in steadying blood sugar levels.
Blackberries compose significantly high amounts of phenolic flavonoid phytochemicals such as anthocyanins, ellagic acid, tannin), quercetin, gallic acid, cyanidins, pelargonidins, catechins, kaempferol, and salicylic acid. Scientific studies suggest that these antioxidant compounds may have potential health benefits against cancer, aging, inflammation, and neurological diseases.
Fresh berries are an excellent sources of vitamin-C(100 g of berries contain 23 mg or 35% of RDA), which is a powerful natural antioxidant. Consumption of fruits rich in vitamin-C helps develop resistance against infectious agents, counter inflammation, and scavenge harmful free radicals from the human body.
They carry adequate levels of vitamin A, vitamin E, and vitamin K (16% of RDA/100 g). Further, they are rich in several other health promoting flavonoid poly-phenolic antioxidants such as lutein, zea-xanthin, and ß-carotene in small amounts. Altogether, these compounds help act as protective scavengers against oxygen-derived free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) that play a role in aging and various disease processes.
Blackberries have an ORAC value (oxygen radical absorbance capacity, a measure of anti-oxidant strength) of about 5347 µmol TE per 100 grams.
Further, blackberries contain a good amount of minerals like potassium, manganese, copper, and magnesium. Copper is required in the bone metabolism as well as in production of white and red blood cells.
They contain moderate levels of B-complex group of vitamins. It contains very good amounts of pyridoxine, niacin, pantothenic acid, riboflavin, and folic acid. These vitamins work as co-factors for enzymes that help metabolize carbohydrates, proteins, and fats inside the human body.
Selection and storage
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| blsckberries storage |
Blackberry season generally lasts from June until September. Fresh berries can either handpicked or harvested using machines in large-scale farms. In general, the berries are ready to be harvested once they come off receptacle easily and have turned into deep color. At that stage when they are supposed to be well ripen 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 firm box, spread out evenly in a single layer.
Avoid unripe (purple), overripe, bruised, damaged, and mushy berries. In general, the berries are highly perishable and sensitive to handling. At home, use them as soon as possible.
To store, place them inside 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 best used immediately.
To prepare, do not wash them until you are ready to use. Just rinse in a bowl of cold water, swish around to remove any surface dirt. Gently lift them out of water and pat dry using an absorbent towel. This method will also help revive them back to normal room temperature, increases their flavor and enrich their taste.
