Blackberries are a good source of antioxidants, which have been shown to help prevent cancer and reduce the signs of aging. Blackberries are also low-fat, saturated fat-free, sodium-free, cholesterol-free, high in fibre, high in vitamin C and a good source of folate.
There are two types of blackberry to know about: thorny and thornless! We do both at Hawkswick. Obviously, the thornless are easier to pick, but some people claim the thorny varieties are sweeter. With the thorny plants, you want to reach into the plant in the gaps, so you don’t need to touch anything but the berry you’re after, avoiding the thorns.
A ripe blackberry is deep black with a plump, full feel. It will pull free from the plant with only a slight tug. If the berry is red or purple, it’s not ripe yet. Reach in between the stems to grab for hidden berries ready for harvest. Bend down and look up into the plant and you’ll find loads of berries that other people missed!
When picking blackberries, remember the dark purple juices will not only stain your hands but also your clothes. In olden days blackberry juice was used as a dye!
Our varieties, which will start to ripen by the end of June, are: