Blackberry

History and origin

Native to the Caucasus Mountains, blackberries have been eaten since prehistoric times, where they were part of the diet of hunter-gatherers. This thorny shrub, often invasive, has been used since Antiquity by the Greeks and Celts as a remedy against various ailments. According to Greek mythology, blackberries come from the blood of the Titans shed during their battles against the gods. Over the centuries, varieties with larger fruits and less sharp thorns, such as the “Dewberry” of American origin, were selected, giving rise to the “American bramble” or “giant blackberry”.

Variety and cultivation

Blackberries, grown like raspberries, thrive in rich, sunny soil. Brambles, properly managed, produce tasty fruits. The blackberry is not a single fruit but a collection of drupeoles. Common varieties: wild blackberry, cultivated blackberry, and Morus mulberry. Popular cultivars: “Himalaya”, “Perle Noire”, “Darrow”, “Thornless”.

Did you know?

The blackberry, formerly nicknamed “fruit of the roads”, was picked by travelers for refreshment and nourishment. According to legend, it symbolized perseverance: its brambles protect hidden treasures.