Ingredient of the month – Blackberries
Often losing the spotlight to its more prolific and popular cousins – raspberries and blueberries – the blackberry (in my opinion) is a berry worth celebrating. Plump, juicy and sporting such a fabulously dramatic hue, the blackberry really is a beautiful fruit.
Before you tuck into an overflowing bowl of blackberries, it’s important to remember that they tend to be tarter than other berries. But I think this just adds to their appeal. Lots of berry recipes to try in my new book 'My Little French Kitchen' (mostly featuring raspberries – but many berry recipes can be substituted for other varieties!).
Blackberries and tea for a mid-morning snack
Rich in anti-oxidants, blackberries are bursting with natural goodness (best eaten fresh if you’re looking for a vitamin hit). When the season peaks, I love adding a (generous) handful of blackberries to granola or yoghurt for a morning snack. If I haven't eaten them all on the way home from the market, or gobbled them up for breakfast during British blackberry season, I usually make my Elderflower and Strawberry Jellies (scroll to the end of the this blog post for the recipe) – and I love adding fresh blackberries to the jellies for a nice striking touch of dramatic purple.
Blackberries for breakfast
When it comes to blackberry jam (or any kind of jam for that matter), you’ll really notice a great difference, in both taste and texture, if you source the highest quality products around.
The ultimate jar of jam? A gift from a jam-making aficionado in your family! Short of Christmas gifts or making your own, if you can’t get your hands on homemade jam, your next best bet to head to a local jam producer. One of my favourite jam haunts in the UK is the London Borough of Jam. This is indeed jam heaven!
Snapshot from my recent visit to the London Borough of Jam
Blackberries (also called brambles here in Britain) are one of the many delights that you might discover when foraging in the UK (just like the cute little folk living along Brambly Hedge).
A flurry of blackberry foraging in Brambly Hedge. Love this illustration
If you're not picking them from the bramble bush yourself – be mindful when choosing blackberries at the market or grocer. Have a good look at the punnet before you buy – keep an eye out for mouldy berries! It's a really short season, so best to tuck into them while you still can!
Not sure what to do with your latest foraging bounty? Here are some recipe ideas:
Jam tarts in my Evening Standard Column
Blackberry gin (or you might be a sloe gin fan)