The mulberry is an aggregate fruit and a member of the bramble berry family within the genus Rubus. There are over 150 different species of mulberries that produce red, white, pink and near black fruits. The singular distinction between mulberry plants is that mulberries grow on trees versus bush-like plants that other bramble berries grow on.

Mulberries have the immediate appearance of an elongated plump blackberry or a dark loganberry. Their similarities are simply skin deep. Ripe mulberries almost jet black with blushes of ruby. They are aromatic and literally, sticky sweet, their coloring so deep and texture so fragile and syrupy in nature that it stains to the touch. Mulberries, though containing some seeds, have a melting quality in the mouth. They ripen exceedingly fast and should therefor be eaten almost immediately, if not dried, cooked or frozen.

Serving Ideas

Mulberries are commonly used in ice cream, sorbet, jams, jellies, beverages, and especially pies. They can be used in any recipe calling for berries including salads, compotes, reductions, gastriques, purees and cocktails. Complimentary pairings include other bramble berries, stonefruit, young cheeses such as burrata and chevre, pork belly, bacon, herbs such as basil, mint and arugula, cream, mascarpone and citrus.

Geography/History

The earliest documentation of the mulberry records them as native to China. The mulberry tree was cultivated from wild trees in direct correlation with the desire to create silk from the silk worm. Silkworms thrive on the leaves of the mulberry tree, the more leaves they eat, the more silk they produce. The Silk Trade was synonomous with the trading and importing/exporting the mulberry tree for its vital value within the food chain of the production of silk. Though silkworms, birds and other wild animals have been eating mulberry fruit for centuries, it eventually would also become a commercial crop grown for the production of food for livestock and humans. Mulberry trees are wind-pollinated, thus many species are cross-pollinated, representing genes from multiple species. Today mulberries still grow in China as well as throughout the Eastern Mediterranean, the Middle East, Northern Africa and within limited regions of the United States.

Seasons/Availability

Mulberries are available briefly during mid-summer.