Enjoy Fresh Blackberries
(Page 5 of 5)
December 2007/January 2008
By Barbara Pleasant
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Blackberries in Brief
Blackberries (Rubus species)
- There are 237 species worldwide, including dozens native to North America.
- When to Plant: Spring or fall; spring planting preferred
- Time from Planting to Good Crop: Two years for most varieties
- Hardiness: Zones 5 to 10. Varieties differ in their tolerance of cold and heat.
- Longevity: Indefinitely when cared for properly as a perennial
- Pests: Although insect pests are rare, birds love ripe berries.
- Special Tips: Don’t hesitate to use pruning loppers to discipline vigorous canes.
Blackberries Top the Chart
Dark blue, red and purple fruits get their color from pigments called anthocyanins, antioxidant compounds that are thought to prevent cancer, gastric ulcers, coronary heart disease and more. Recent research from Balz Frei, professor of biochemistry and biophysics at Oregon State University and director of the school’s Linus Pauling Institute, suggests that when we consume anthocyanins, our immune systems quickly gear up to eliminate them. This process flushes out harmful agents such as carcinogens.
This cleansing cycle goes on at healthy levels when you eat dark fruits as part of your everyday diet. However, according to the Institute, taking anthocyanin supplements may be too much of a good thing, overworking this elegant system.
Anthocyanins
Food (mg per 100 g)
Blackberries 89-211
Blueberries 67-183
Grapes, red 25-92
Raspberries, red 10-84
Strawberries 15-75
Red wine 1-35
Source: Linus Pauling Institute, Oregon State University
Contributing editor Barbara Pleasant tames wild blackberries at her home in southwest Virginia. Last summer, she transformed her harvest into six blackberry cobblers and three batches of low-sugar jelly.
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