35 free blackberries kitchen insights for you

Did you know that blackberries have long been used by women to try to relieve the discomfort associated with childbirth?

• Blackberries include a high amount of vitamin K, a nutrient that has been proven to have the ability to relax muscles and is found in blackberries. Blackberries were a part of the diet of the Haraldskaer Woman, who lived during the Iron Age and dated back around 2,500 years.
• In ancient Greece, the blackberry was used as a treatment for gout, and in ancient Rome, the leaves of the blackberry plant were used to make a tea that was used to cure a variety of ailments.
• There are up to 2,000 types of blackberries, with more than 300 wild species found in Europe alone. Blackberries are indigenous to every continent with the exception of Antarctica. They are able to hybridise on their own and produce new forms in order to adapt to the climate, soil, and other elements in their environment.
• The berries have been gathered since ancient times and have been used as food, medicinally, and also as natural barriers owing to their thick growth and thorns; their original names were bramble or brambleberries. They have been used for all of these purposes throughout history (and still are in England).
• There are also blackberries that have a red tint, and it might be difficult to tell the difference between them and raspberries at times. When a blackberry is plucked, it comes away from the plant with its core still intact. However, when a raspberry is taken, the core is left behind. This is one method to differentiate between the two fruits for sure.

Blackberry nutrition values and health benefits

1. Blackberries are an excellent source of nourishment due to their high fibre content as well as their abundance of vitamin K, potassium, magnesium, and vitamin C. In addition to this, they contain powerful antioxidants and have a naturally low calorie and fat content.
2. Anthocyanins and other flavonoids have garnered a lot of attention from the scientific community recently due to their potential involvement in disease prevention. The pigment known as anthocyanin is responsible for the dark colour of blackberries as well as other fruits and vegetables that are blue, violet, or red. It is considered that the antioxidative characteristics of this substance may help slow down or prevent a number of disorders connected to metabolism and ageing.
3. Anthocyanins, which are found in blackberries and raspberries, are believed by researchers to be able to reduce the oxidation of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol by as much as fifty percent, which is correlated with a significant reduction in atherosclerosis and heart disease.
4. According to the findings of several studies, blackberry extract has antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory characteristics, making it potentially useful for the treatment or prevention of periodontal diseases.
5. Blackberries provide 32% of your daily need for vitamin K, which your body requires to build platelets for regular blood clotting and proteins for strong bones. Blackberries also provide 32% of your daily requirement for vitamin C. There is some evidence that vitamin K may aid in the prevention of osteoporosis and osteopenia. The manganese that may be found in blackberries is an essential mineral for the growth of bones.
6. Additionally, there is some early data to suggest that anthocyanins may assist in reducing the severity of Alzheimer’s disease. Even though more research has to be done, preliminary findings suggest that anthocyanin may reduce the harmful effects of beta-amyloid deposits in the brain. These are the substances that cause disruptions in neural networks and damage to brain cells, both of which are necessary steps in the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
7. Although instances of real food allergies to blackberries are uncommon, blackberries do include a number of allergens that are already known to exist. Blackberries contain a chemical compound known as a salicylate, which is chemically linked to the pain reliever aspirin. It is possible that eating the fruit may cause adverse reactions in those who are sensitive to aspirin or allergic to the drug altogether.
8. One of the most prevalent complaints about blackberries is that they have the potential to distastefully stain your teeth a purple colour. If you want to keep your teeth from being stained, try not to keep the fruit residue in your mouth for too long. Make sure to use a straw if you are drinking a smoothie that contains blackberries. Rinse your mouth out with water once you’ve finished eating, and then clean your teeth as soon as you can after that.

100g of fresh blackberries has 43 calories(179kj), 1.4g protein, 0g fat, and 10g carbs including 5g fibre

How to store blackberries and how to buy them

• If you have the chance, picking blackberries straight from the field is going to provide the best results. Their year is split into two parts: the beginning of summer, which occurs in June, and the end of summer, which occurs in July and August. If you travel to a farm where you pick and collect your own food, you will be able to pluck it right from the vine. In the event that you are unable to do so, you should be able to purchase them in their fresh state from a nearby farm stand in your area.
• Blackberries are one of the most expensive fruits because of their susceptibility to damage. The most significant drawback is that they are difficult to transport and have a shelf life of just two days when stored in the refrigerator. You should only buy blackberries if you plan to eat them right away after buying them.
• Once blackberries have been picked, there is no chance that they will continue to mature. On them, there should be a constant tone, and there shouldn’t be any glaring brown areas. This is the case regardless of whether you get them from a farmer personally or from a store that sells groceries.
• The blackberries have to have the scent of luscious fruit to accompany them. This is also the case with blackberries that were bought from a supermarket. If you are unable to smell the berries, you should disregard them. Steer clear of the blackberries if their stems are still connected to them! Due to the fact that the fruit was picked before it had fully matured, it will not be as sweet or flavourful as it should have been.
• Before you buy any blackberries, be sure to examine the packaging carefully for any signs of mould or stains, paying close attention to the bottom of the container in particular. Mould is an indication that the blackberries have already started to decompose, and stains suggest that the blackberries are overripe and should be discarded as a result.
• After you have purchased blackberries, you should be able to store them in your refrigerator for up to three to six days after that time. When it comes to putting them away in the refrigerator, there are a few things you should keep in mind, including the following:
  1. Check to ensure that the container has adequate venting. Blackberries are often sold in vented plastic clamshells. If you want to use your own container, you should ensure that the blackberries have enough ventilation so that any excess moisture may evaporate.
  2. Arrange the paper towels in a row underneath the package. They will prevent the berries from being damaged by the accumulation of excess moisture on the bottom. This step is completely discretionary, and the only time it will be worthwhile is if you want to store the fruits for more than four or five days.
  3. It is important to prevent the blackberries from being crushed. These fruits are delicate and very susceptible to being damaged. As a result of this, they need some type of protection from it, which often takes the shape of a container.
• Either freezing the blackberries or turning them into jam is a good option for long-term preservation. Pick the alternative that makes the most sense to you. You have most likely purchased blackberries in frozen form more than once, so you are aware that they freeze fairly well. There are quite a number of different approaches to freezing this fruit, with some taking much more effort than others. The approach that is the least complicated and takes the least amount of time spent actively working is dry freezing.

Cooking techniques, secrets, and tips from the kitchen

1. Blackberries are incredibly flexible and may be used to produce recipes that appeal to a range of palates, including sweet, savoury, and sour tastes. They can also be used to create drinks that have a number of different flavour profiles. You can muddle them into your next cocktail or blend them up for a refreshing morning smoothie; you can simmer them down to a gooey compote and spoon it over pancakes, bread, cereal, meat, and cheese; and you can bake any leftover blackberries into a cobbler, pie, or galette to share with your friends.
2. Blackberries must always be cleaned before being eaten, cooked with, or frozen since there is a possibility that they contain bugs, namely the creepy, crawly kind. To get the most out of blackberries, just follow this easy-to-follow six-step list:
   • Put the blackberries you have collected from the wild into a big shallow dish and cover them with ice water.
   • To ensure that no insects survive, sprinkle one teaspoon of salt over the surface, and then let it sit out at room temperature overnight.
   • You will discover that any minute insects or parts of stalk have climbed to the top and are then easy to take off. This is the case because they are easier to see.
   • Run the blackberries through a strainer to remove any extra water, then shake off any remaining moisture.
   • Place the blackberries in a single layer on baking sheets that have been lined and dried out.
   • Your wild blackberries may now be eaten fresh, cooked, or frozen, depending on your preference.
3. Blackberry jelly is a delectable jelly that is suitable for serving at an afternoon tea or as an addition to roasted meats and game. Blackberries are ideal for preparing blackberry jelly. In late summer and early fall, not only blackberries but also bilberries, plums, pumpkins, and wild mushrooms are gathered. Utilise in combination with cooking apples to not only enhance taste but also supply a substantial quantity of pectin to the dish. A gel is produced from the starch known as pectin when it is boiled with acid and sugar. Apples are an excellent natural source of the starch pectic, which is required for the production of jams and jellies.
4. You can add an eye-catching splash of colour to your salads by tossing in a handful of these jewel-like blackberries. In addition to being a reviving component of cold games, they pair particularly well with salty and creamy cheeses like feta and goat’s cheese.
5. There is nothing cosier than a hot bowl of crumble that has been soaked in custard to warm you up on a chilly evening. There is nothing else that can do it. Blackberries make for an especially mouth-watering dessert when combined with other fruits that are in season at the same time, such as apples, pears, and plums. You may make this dish tastier by including warming spices like cinnamon and star anise in the crumble mix, or you can choose to use a traditional crumble mix instead. In order to give the crumble topping a little bit more texture and intrigue, we also like to add things like nuts, seeds, and dried fruit to it.
6. A sauce with bold, fruity flavours goes well with grilled or broiled chicken, beef, or pork. Your main course of beef may be taken in an unexpected new direction by adding a blackberry wine sauce that has a sweet and sour flavour profile and is combined with onions, butter, and pepper. The beef or pork tenderloin, as well as chicken breast, is extremely delicious when served with a blackberry wine sauce. It is not often eaten with fish, but it pairs very well with grilled salmon fillets and has a great flavour.
7. Mojitos are rum cocktails that have their roots in Cuba and are traditionally created with rum, lime, mint, sugar, and club soda. It’s the ideal summer drink since it’s cold, crisp, and refreshing. Blackberry mojitos are just as simple to prepare as the classic version, but the addition of fresh blackberries gives them a delicious new flavour. The blackberry mojito is an excellent cocktail to enjoy at the height of summer. It makes use of both fresh blackberries and mint. The sweet-tart berry flavour is a perfect complement to the refreshing minty-lime flavour of the mojito, and the rich crimson colour that results from muddling the berries is sure to catch anyone’s eye.
8. Blackberries are delicious when combined with a wide range of other fruits and vegetables, such as almonds, apple, apricot, cinnamon, citrus, clove, ginger, hazelnut, lemon, mango, mint (both fresh and dried), plum, orange, raspberry, strawberry, and vanilla. It goes really well with berry liqueurs, brandy, Champagne, orange liqueurs, port wine, and other types of red wine such as Merlot.

History of blackberries from the beginning until today

• It is impossible to pinpoint precisely where blackberries initially appeared in the world, although it is likely that they were domesticated in either Asia, North or South America, or Europe. This diversified species of the genus Rubus is difficult to classify since it is the fruit crop that is the most taxonomically complicated overall. However, it doesn’t actually narrow it down that much.
• Evidence of the consumption of blackberries dates all the way back to the Iron Age, which occurred approximately 2,500 years ago. Since blackberries are also referred to as bramble, brummel, and brambleberry, it is reasonable to assume that the history of blackberries dates back over thousands of years.
• Blackberries were used as medicine by the ancient Romans, and Native Americans used them not only as a food source but also as medicine and to colour animal skins. In addition to that, Native Americans utilised the canes to produce string.
• The ancient Greek physician Galen recommended a blackberry infusion for a variety of diseases, and Palladius provided a recipe for a blackberry syrup that called for equal parts blackberry juice and honey in the syrup’s preparation. Blackberries were also employed as a treatment for the symptoms of gout by the ancient Greeks, which led to the fruit being referred to as “goutberry” far into the 18th century.
• Canes and vines of the blackberry plant were employed in the production of string. Blackberry bushes were often planted around European villages as a deterrent against hostile humans and other potentially harmful animals. The deer and the birds are safe from the brambles. Indigo and other shades of purple have been derived from the berries.
• Blackberries were thought to be wild and uncultivated up until a very recent point in time. After that, in the year 1880, Judge Logan started to experiment with the berry’s breeding in order to produce loganberries, which are related to blackberries.
• Blackberries have a long history of usage as both a source of food and medicine, but, in modern times, they are most often used in the production of delicacies such as pies and preserves. According to the London Pharmacopoeia published in 1696, it was also traditionally used in the production of wine and cordials at one point in time.