Shop-bought blackberries are ‘larger and sweeter’ this season
12th September 2022
Experts are reporting some of the largest, sweetest shop-bought blackberries ever seen – but their hedgerow counterparts have suffered.
With blackberry season at its peak in Britain, experts have reported that while shop-bought blackberries are thriving, their hedgerow counterparts appeared earlier and smaller than usual following an exceptionally dry summer.
The hot weather has caused hedgerow blackberries to ripen rapidly, stunting their growth and resulting in smaller and less juicy fruit.
British shop-bought blackberries are typically five times the size of their hedgerow counterparts and taste far sweeter, according to agronomists working with British Berry Growers. The reason for this quality difference lies in the fact that the two types of berries have vastly different backgrounds.
Blackberries found on retailer shelves have been bred by expert pomologists who work to combine the best qualities of different blackberry varieties. As a result, they are able to consistently grow bigger, sweeter, and juicier berries.
Whereas, hedgerow berries consist of around 300 different wild sub species that provide varying degrees of sweetness and bitterness. Hence, they are unable to offer the guaranteed quality of blackberries purposely grown for supermarket shelves.
According to the latest sales data of British Berry Growers, the organisation representing 95% of berries supplied to UK supermarkets, there were 79% more blackberries available in stores during the first week of August this year, compared to 2021. The increase followed a particularly warm July that was 1.3°C above the forecast long-term average.
Last year, British shoppers have bought a total of 2,576 tonnes of blackberries, which is equivalent in weight to 208 London double decker buses. Due to advances in growing techniques, the commercial British blackberry season now runs for 42 weeks a year.
Commenting on the health benefits of blackberries, Nick Marston, chairman of British Berry Growers, said: “A handful of blackberries can provide half of an adults recommended daily allowance of manganese, which is important for bone development and nutrient absorption. According to scientists, they’re also high in salicylic acid and contain astringent tannins which are great for your skin and oral hygiene respectively. Research has also found that blackberries possess anti-inflammatory properties – which could help with wound healing.”
