Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory, mulberry blackberries are ancient fruits rich in nutrients that give antibacterial, digestive, laxative, diuretic and vaso-protective properties.
Mulberry is a plant belonging to the Moraceae family, which grows up to 20 meters in height. Coming from the Asian continent, in the past it was used above all for the production of silk as mulberry blackberries are the favorite food of silkworms.
The fruits of the mulberry are called blackberries, even if they have nothing to do with the “classic” blackberries. Mulberries (mulberry blackberries), in fact, are produced from majestic trees, even 15-20 meters high, while blackberries are the berries that we all know and that grow in brambles and shrubs.
Mulberry blackberries ripen from May to August and have a mild flavor but are very juicy and sugary. They look similar to blackberries but have a more elongated shape. In Italy there are two species which are the white mulberry (Morus Alba) and the black mulberry (Morus nigra) while in the United States there is also a red variety (Morus Rubra).
White mulberry blackberries ripen earlier, in May, and have a sweet but not very acidic flavor, so they are quite bland on the palate. Black mulberry blackberries, on the other hand, begin to ripen in June and have a greater balance between acidity and sweetness, making them more aromatic and tasty.
The benefits of mulberry blackberries were already known in Roman times, as Pliny narrated that the unripe fruits of the black mulberry were useful to stop bleeding while the ripe ones fought sore throat and stomach when combined with honey, myrrh, saffron and dry agresto. Let’s find out their properties and benefits together.
The nutritional values of mulberry blackberries
Mulberry blackberries have few calories, in fact they provide about 40 Kcal per 100 grams. They contain good amounts of iron but also potassium, manganese, phosphorus and magnesium. The most abundant vitamins are those of group B, Vitamin C and K. There are also numerous antioxidants including lutein and zeaxanthin.
Nutritional values per 100g of mulberry blackberries:
- Calories: 43
- Waterfall: 87.68 gr
- Proteins: 1.44 gr
- Fat: 0.39 gr
- Carbohydrates: 9.8 gr
- Fibers: 1.7 gr
- Soccer: 39 mg
- Iron: 1.85 mg
- Magnesium: 18 mg
- Phosphorus: 38 mg
- Potassium: 194 mg
- C vitamin: 36.4 mg (60.7% RDA)
- Vitamin B1: 0.029 mg (2.1% RDA)
- Vitamin B2: 0.101 mg (6.3% RDA)
- Vitamin B3: 0.62 mg (3.4% RDA)
- Folate: 6 µg (3% RDA)
- Beta-carotene: 9 µg
- Vitamin K: 7.8 µg (11.1% RDA)
- Lutein + zeaxanthin: 136 µg
Mulberry blackberries: properties and benefits
Mulberry blackberries are rich in antioxidants, so they are able to slow down cellular aging as they counteract the action of free radicals.
Black mulberry blackberries differ from white ones not only for color and taste but also for the presence of some powerful antioxidants such as resveratrol, also present in grapes and wine, which protects the cardiovascular system, and anthocyanins. Resveratrol also possesses anticancer properties. In a study it was shown that small amounts of resveratrol have more effect on tumor progression than higher doses. Further studies are therefore needed to investigate.
Being rich in Vitamin C, these fruits stimulate the immune system defending against colds and flu. According to some studies, mulberry extracts are useful in case of type 2 diabetes thanks to miglitol, a substance that inhibits the absorption of glucose while keeping blood sugar constant.
In herbal medicine, the infusion of mulberry leaves is used to counteract diabetes. Mulberry blackberries can help with anemia as they have good amounts of iron. They help reduce excess bad cholesterol levels both due to the presence of fiber and the abundance of phytosterols.
According to some studies, white mulberry blackberries have antibacterial properties, in particular they would be useful against dental caries. Thanks to zeaxanthin, they protect eyesight, while they are useful in maintaining the bone structure due to the presence of calcium, phosphorus and vitamin K. Other properties of mulberry are anti-inflammatory and purifying.
How mulberry blackberries are used
The uses of mulberry blackberries are many. The ideal would be to consume them fresh, to fully enjoy their properties. A standard portion is about 100-120 grams, which is a handful of fresh mulberry, which we can eat for breakfast or as a snack. Fresh or dried mulberry blackberries can be added to fruit salads or yoghurt or can be used to flavor cakes and biscuits. Fresh blackberries can also be used to make syrups, drinks, liqueurs and jams or ice cream. Let’s see some preparations together.
✓ Mulberry jam
As anticipated, with mulberry blackberries it is possible to make a very good jam. Let’s see how to make it at home and what ingredients are needed.
Ingredients: 1.5 kg of mulberry blackberries, 300 grams of whole cane sugar, an apple and half a lemon.
- Wash the fruit and put it in a high-sided pan with the sugar, grated apple and the juice of half a lemon;
- Turn on the heat and cook for about 40 minutes, removing the foam with a ladle, and stirring often;
- To find out if the jam is ready, put a teaspoon on a saucer. If it goes down slowly, it will be ready;
- Then put the hot jam in the sterilized jars, close them and boil them for at least 20 minutes.
✓ Popsicles with black mulberry blackberries
Making these popsicles is super easy. You need 300 g of black mulberry blackberries, 150 ml of water and 2 level spoons of brown sugar. Just blend the mulberries with the water and sugar and put the juice in the special molds, then place in the freezer.
✓ Mulberry syrup
This preparation can be used to garnish cakes or ice cream. You need 1 kg of mulberry blackberries and cane sugar in an amount equal to the weight of the juice we will get. After washing the blackberries, let them dry and blend them. Filter the juice, weigh it and put it in a pot. Add the sugar in equal quantities to the juice and cook for at least 15 minutes. After it has cooled, keep it in a glass bottle in the fridge for a few days.
✓ Mulberry root decoction
Mulberry root decoction has laxative and purifying properties . It is necessary to boil about 5 grams of root in half a liter of water for 5 minutes, cover and let it rest for 15 minutes.
✓ Infusion of mulberry leaves
The infusion of mulberry leaves has diuretic and hypoglycemic properties. Just boil 200 ml of water and leave a tablespoon of chopped leaves to infuse for 10-15 minutes.
How mulberry blackberries are kept
Fresh mulberry blackberries are very perishable, so they only keep in the fridge for 3-4 days. As for the dried fruit, however, it is good to follow the instructions on the package.
Mulberry blackberries: contraindications
The intake of mulberry blackberries has no particular contraindications, except in case of allergy.
Mulberry blackberries: sale and price
Fresh mulberry blackberries are not easy to find on the market, they are rarely found in supermarkets but are more easily bought from local farmers as the cultivation of these fruits is no longer widespread. The price of fresh fruits is around 10 USD per kg, while for dried ones it reaches 15 USD per 250 grams.
