Blackberries

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

the edible ones... do they seem to be a lot less sweet this year?

I've just made up some blackberry & apple leathers and can honestly say they are a little on the tart side. I don't normally add sugar to fruit but I can see the next batch getting some...

 

[accountantpete]

In the middle of making some freshly picked blackberry jam - I'll let you know in an hour when the jam is done and I have staunched the blood flowing from my arms.

 

[Ganymede]

I've found some yummy ones and some a little mouth-puckering. In my recent observations: pale green stems = big yummy sweet berries; red stems = squinting and going ffffwww. However, the sharp ones make better jam/jelly I think as they have a bit more kick.

 

[IDMark2]

These early pick ones do seem to have a certain zing around here, maybe the real Autumn ones in a couple of weeks will have their more slow cooked sugary goodness.

 

[coffeejo]

Extensive research these last ten days suggests there's not much difference to last year's earlies.

 

[Lullabelle]

There are blackberries galore round here, won't be picking any though because we have nothing to make with them. Only just started on first jar of raspberry jam so don't want to make any more.

 

[IDMark2]

Extensive research these last ten days suggests there's not much difference to last year's earlies.

I saw you yesterday I reckon...I whizzed through Talaton where there was a female cyclist in a gateway by the village shop, not cycling at that time.. pulling that 'Ewww..not quite ready..I'll try another one..' face.

 

[Peteaud]

I turn them into jam, mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

 

[Paulus]

There are blackberries galore round here, won't be picking any though because we have nothing to make with them. Only just started on first jar of raspberry jam so don't want to make any more.

Some natural yoghurt or Ice cream goes really well.

 

[PeteXXX]

There's quite a crop growing round Salcey Forest but they're not ripe enough yet. I've got plans for them once thry ripen..

 

[Donger]

They are hanging right across most of the cycle paths round this way. By the end of a ride you look like you've been self harming.

 

[welsh dragon]

My blackberries aren't ripe yet. They are just beginning to turn. They are quite a bit later than blackberries in other areas across the country.

 

[SatNavSaysStraightOn]

My blackberries aren't ripe yet. They are just beginning to turn. They are quite a bit later than blackberries in other areas across the country.

these are only the first batch here as well. Some brambles are still flowering! Most are hard green 'berries' and a few are showing signs of ripeness but not many. I was able to pick around 3kg over 2 hours along what I call blackberry alley. Usually I can pick 2-3 times that amount in that time! I also thought that the sweetest berries were always the first ripe on the 'branch' the one at the end, but these seem really sour and tart this year! maybe I just have a sweet tooth!

 

[cosmicbike]

Got 2 tubs that my wife and kids collected. Apparently I'm making apple and blackberry pie, since she 'doesn't do pastry'. I'm quite happy with that, means a rare pudding at chez CB

 

[raleighnut]

Bit early yet, 2 weeks time