Foraging for wild foods such as blackberries can be so much fun, for both kids and adults alike and makes for some interesting late summer activities. From late August until about October time, you’ll be able to go foraging for blackberries across the UK.
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A hardy blackberry bush will thrive just about anywhere if given the chance. So, whether you live in the city or the countryside, you should be able to find these delicious wild berries somewhere near you. From dense woodlands and wasted shrubbery, to the side of busy roads, they’re basically a weed growing yummy berries!
Blackberries are a great first introduction to foraging. They’re easily recognisable with their thorny stems and bright red berries, and are simple to pick. Although be aware, the brambles are very thorny so maybe wear gloves when you go looking for the best blackberries to add to your favourite recipes.
I remember when my parents used to take us blackberry picking when we were younger. We would all have a little plastic Tupperware box to put our juicy berries in. It would very quickly become a competition between myself and my brothers to see who could get the most!
What Is The Best Season For Picking Blackberries In The UK?
The best time to pick, or go foraging for blackberries is between late July and early October. However, due to climate change, you may find a few early risers ready to be picked from early summertime, depending on your location. The perfect time of year to go looking for these tasty ripe berries.
Is It Safe To Eat Wild Blackberries In The UK?
In short, YES, although it is advised you wash and freeze them before eating to kill any bugs that might be on them.
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However, if you aren’t sure that what you’re picking is actually blackberries, don’t eat them as there are some poisonous look-alikes! Make sure you find out from someone with this kind of knowledge before you start eating them to avoid any possible confusion.
Yes, there are many berries in the UK that are poisonous and can very easily kill you should you get it wrong. Always edge on the side of caution when it comes to picking any wild food source.
It’s also wise not to collect any ripe fruits that are low to the ground as you never know what wild animals might have used that bush as their toilet! If you can, only pick these delicious blackberries from waist-high and upwards to be safe.
Also, if you are picking your edible berries from a spot by a busy road, make sure you wash them extra carefully to get all of the fumes and chemicals left by the traffic pollution off them first. Personally, I wouldn’t go wild blackberry picking by a busy road for that very reason.
Where To Find Wild Blackberries
The best part of the world (in the UK) to find wild blackberry bushes is while you’re on countryside walks.
- In wooded areas
- Hedgerows
- Roadside verges
- Wild gardens
- Spots that get full sun, or direct sunlight are also some of the best spots to find them
Blackberries usually grow in large bushes that look a bit wild and overgrown. If you plan to go blackberry picking every year, note down where and when you went last year so you know whereto go back to each time.
Unripe Blackberries
Blackberries are reddish in colour when they’re unripe. You don’t want to pick these as they will be very sour and could give you stomach problems and mouth ulcers. They will also be much harder than ripe blackberries, so leave them on the bush a little longer to ripen up properly and you can always note down the spot and come back in a few weeks time.
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The easiest way to make sure you are picking blackberries is by their core. Blackberries will have shiny black or dark purple outer skin with a white core. If they have that deep purple-black tinge to them, they’re ripe.
How To Pick Ripe Blackberries
Once you know what you’re about to pick are in fact ripe blackberries, you need to know how best to pick them. As we mentioned earlier, the blackberry bushes tend to be covered with thorns so you do need to be a little bit careful.
Take a pair of thick gloves with you, although you might find you actually don’t need them. Then take a container of some kind with you to collect the best berries in. This could be whatever you have to hand – a large bowl, some shallow buckets, or even a specific berry picker.
If you plan to do this next year as well, perhaps investing in one of these berry pickers would be beneficial to you. You simply place the comb of the berry picker at the stem and it separates the berries from the stems, collecting as you go. It also means you’re less likely to get scratched by the thorns and you can pick a lot more in a shorter space of time. It’ll make great work of that blackberry bush so that you don’t have to.
The Health Benefits Of Blackberries
There are many health benefits to eating fresh blackberries during blackberry season…
- High in fibre
- Packed with vitamin C
- High in vitamin K
- High in manganese
- Promote brain health
- Antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties
- Blackberries are known to be a great herbal medicine – great for colds and sore throats
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How To Store Wild Blackberries
Once you’ve got your picked blackberries back home, wash them well with cold water and leave them to soak. Add a little salt to the berries while they’re in the water to help kill any bugs. Just make sure you wash off the salt water before eating them.
However, if you don’t plan to eat them fresh, after washing, lie them on paper towels in a single layer and allow them to dry naturally before placing them in an airtight container and leaving them in the fridge.
Can you freeze blackberries? Yes, simply dry your blackberries and spread into thin layers in a container and either place them in the fridge or the freezer for a later date. Alternatively, you could stew with some jam sugar and make yourself a delicious jam or puree. Or turn them into a blackberry and apple crumble.
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The Best Way To Eat Fresh Blackberries
Once you’ve picked all of your blackberries, there are so many things you can do with them including…
- Eat them fresh (after washing in cool water)
- Blend them up to make ripe blackberry ice cream
- Turn them into your favourite recipe – perhaps an apple and blackberry crumble
- Drizzle with lemon juice and freeze them for a great little tangy snack
- Add them to your daily smoothie
- Combine with strawberries and raspberries to create a bowl of summer fruits
Personally, blackberries are my absolute favourite when it comes to fresh fruit, either as a snack or in a homemade recipe. Have you been foraging for blackberries yet?
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