Mulberries are a delicious, nutritious fruit that can be enjoyed straight off the tree during their growing season. While most people are familiar with buying mulberries in grocery stores, picking and eating them fresh offers some advantages and a more authentic experience. However, there are also some potential downsides to eating mulberries right off the tree that should be considered. This article will explore the benefits and drawbacks of eating fresh mulberries, look at some safety and identification tips, and provide recommendations on how to fully enjoy these tasty berries.
Benefits of Eating Mulberries Straight from the Tree
Eating mulberries right after picking them provides a few advantages over buying them at the store:
Maximum Freshness
When you pick and eat mulberries from the tree, you are getting them at the absolute peak of freshness and ripeness. The berries continue to ripen even after being picked, so local, just-picked mulberries are generally more vibrant in color and flavor compared to store-bought options. The fruits’ sugars are fully developed and they are juicy and delicious straight off the branch.
Higher Nutrient Content
Along with enhanced flavor from freshness, eating mulberries straight from the tree also provides slightly higher nutrient levels. The vitamin C, anthocyanin antioxidants, and other beneficial compounds start degrading immediately after the berries are picked. Picking and eating mulberries right away with no storage time preserves more of the vitamins and antioxidants.
Connects You to Nature
Foraging for mulberries and plucking them straight from the tree is rewarding in a primal way. It provides a fun outdoor activity and a chance to connect with nature. Kids especially enjoy the experience of finding and picking their own berries. Eating a fruit at the source links people to the seasons and where their food comes from.
No Pesticides
Mulberry trees in urban and suburban areas are generally not sprayed with pesticides and chemicals. So eating the berries right off backyard and roadside trees avoids the pesticide residues that are present on conventional grocery store mulberries. Going pesticide-free is healthier, especially for children.
Potential Drawbacks of Eating Mulberries Off the Tree
While eating fresh mulberries from the source has some clear advantages, there are also some possible downsides to consider:
Bird Droppings
Mulberry trees attract birds with their sweet berries. Often birds will feast on the fruits and leave droppings behind on the branches and berries. This contaminates the mulberries with bacteria from the bird feces. Be sure to inspect the tree and wash the berries carefully before eating.
Contamination
Growing next to busy roadways or in urban areas exposes mulberry trees to car pollution, dirt, dust, lawn chemicals, etc. It’s best to pick from trees that are away from potential contaminant sources. Also avoid collecting berries that have fallen to the ground, which can pick up bacteria.
Unripe Berries
When you harvest mulberries straight from the tree, it can be tricky to tell which individual berries are fully ripe. Some may appear ripe but still be hard and sour. This can lead to a mixed bag of ripe and unripe fruits. Take care to only pick deeply colored, soft berries.
Short Shelf Life
The delicate berries will only last a couple days after picking before molding and rotting. So you need to eat them quickly. This can lead to overindulging if you harvest more than you can finish within a day or two.
Stains
The deep purple mulberry juice will readily stain light colored clothing and surfaces. Take precautions when collecting, transporting, and eating the berries to prevent permanent stains. Or avoid light colored garments when mulberry picking.
Safety and Identification Tips
When looking to eat mulberries straight from the tree, keep these safety and identification tips in mind:
– Be 100% certain you have correctly identified the tree as a mulberry before eating any berries. Some look-alike trees have poisonous fruits. Key mulberry identification features include lobed leaves with toothed margins, young branches with milky sap, and dangling clusters of elongated berries.
– Only harvest and eat mulberries that are fully ripe, with deep red-purple, black, or white fruit, depending on variety. Unripe fruit can cause digestive upset. Discard any moldy or damaged berries.
– Wash the berries thoroughly in clean water before eating. This removes any contaminants from birds, bugs, dirt, etc.
– Pick mulberries away from high traffic areas and sources of pollution if possible. Avoid low hanging branches. And don’t eat fallen berries.
– Berries higher up in the tree away from the ground tend to be cleaner. Use a ladder or pole picker to safely reach them.
– Consume the berries promptly after picking for best flavor and food safety. Refrigerate any excess harvest.
– Look out for allergy symptoms like itching, rash, swelling, or difficulty breathing after eating mulberries. Discontinue if you have a reaction.
How to Fully Enjoy Eating Fresh Mulberries
To get the most enjoyment from eating mulberries directly harvested from the tree, here are a few tips:
Find Pick-Your-Own Mulberry Orchards
Seek out nearby u-pick mulberry farms and orchards. These will have the best quality trees and fruits. And provide buckets for easy picking.
Time Your Trip
Plan your mulberry picking outing based on online research or calling the orchard to find out when the varieties you want will be at peak ripeness. The season is usually May, June, or July depending on location and cultivar.
Bring Gloves, Containers, and Protection
Arm yourself with gardening gloves to prevent stained hands, buckets or baskets for collecting berries, and hats, long sleeves and pants to block sun exposure and ward off scrapes.
Watch for Wildlife
Keep an eye out for birds, bees, wasps, and other wildlife when approaching fruit trees. Avoid disturbing or provoking them while picking.
Only Pick What You’ll Use
Don’t overpick more berries than you can enjoy within a day or two. Leave the rest for other foragers and wildlife.
Try Different Varieties
Sample different mulberry cultivars like Illinois Everbearing, Oscar, and Pakastani White. Notice the range of flavors and textures.
Preserve the Bounty
Consider making jams, pies, tarts, or freezing excess fresh mulberries to savor their flavor all year long.
Snack Safely
Bring plenty of water, snacks, first aid supplies, and sun/bug protection to make mulberry picking a pleasant experience.
Conclusion
Eating mulberries right off the tree can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience when done properly. Key advantages are maximizing freshness and flavor, obtaining higher nutrients, and connecting with nature. But take precautions regarding pests, chemicals, and ripeness. Ideally pick from your own tree or at a you-pick orchard after correctly identifying berries at their peak ripeness. Then consume promptly and be creative preserving or savoring your harvest. With some common sense, you can safely indulge in delicious, freshly picked mulberries.
