Blackberries

Blackberries belong to the same fruit family as raspberries, apples and strawberries. They are a variety of "bramble" and their shrubs are native to Europe and the eastern United States.

Blackberries are soft and sweet enough to be an excellent fruit source for jams and jellies. Blackberries are also popular as an ingredient in sweet wines. Several pounds of the fruit must be crushed, mixed with pectin, water, sugar and yeast, and allowed to ferment. Most winemakers suggest letting blackberry wine sit for at least four months before drinking.

Their similarity to raspberries allows them to be used in many foods where raspberries typically dominate, including smoothies and pies.

Blackberries are an excellent source of fiber, one cup of which contains about one-third of the daily recommended amount of fiber, more than bananas, grapes and apples. They also contain high concentrations of phytoestrogens, known to aid in the prevention of breast and cervical cancers.

• Google News: Blackberries

• San Francisco Gate: "Muddling around with summertime's farm-fresh cocktails" (2007)

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