Think These Are Blackberries? Take a Closer Look at These Tiny Black Fruits: The Complete Guide to Mulberries
At first glance, a cluster of dark, juicy mulberries can easily be mistaken for blackberries. Both fruits can develop a deep purple or nearly black color when ripe, both are made up of many tiny rounded sections, and both have a sweet-tart flavor that makes them popular in desserts, snacks, and preserves. But despite their similarities, mulberries and blackberries come from different plants and have several characteristics that make them easier to distinguish once you know what to look for.
Mulberries are the fruits of Morus trees, while blackberries are produced by plants in the Rubus genus. Mulberries can range in color from white and pale pink to red, dark purple, and almost black, depending on the species and variety. Their elongated shape, softer texture, and tendency to retain a small stem are among their most recognizable features.
Beyond their appearance, mulberries are interesting from a nutritional and botanical perspective. They provide dietary fiber, vitamin C, potassium, and a variety of naturally occurring plant compounds. Their deep colors, particularly in dark varieties, are associated with anthocyanins and other polyphenolic compounds.
That does not make mulberries a miracle food or a cure for disease. Like other fruits, they are best understood as one nutritious component of an overall varied diet.
So, if you have ever looked at a basket of tiny black fruits and wondered whether you were seeing blackberries, there are several clues that can help you identify what is actually in front of you.
What Are Mulberries?
Mulberries are fruits produced by trees belonging to the Morus genus. Several species are cultivated or found in different parts of the world, including black mulberry, white mulberry, and red mulberry.
The names can be somewhat confusing because the color of the ripe fruit does not always correspond neatly to the common name of the species. For example, white mulberry trees can produce fruits that range from white to pink, purple, or dark colors depending on the variety and stage of ripeness.
Black mulberries are especially known for their dark, richly colored fruits. Red mulberries can also become very dark when fully ripe.
Unlike many familiar berries that grow on bushes or low-growing plants, mulberries develop on trees. A mature mulberry tree can produce a surprisingly large crop, and ripe fruits may fall onto the ground beneath the tree, sometimes leaving dark stains on sidewalks, patios, or other surfaces.
The fruits themselves are generally elongated rather than perfectly round. Each one consists of numerous small sections packed closely together, giving the berry a distinctive appearance.
When ripe, mulberries are usually very soft. This softness is one reason they can be more difficult to transport and store than firmer commercial fruits.
Why Are Mulberries Often Confused With Blackberries?
The confusion is understandable.
Both mulberries and blackberries are aggregate fruits, meaning their apparent “berry” is made up of numerous small fruit units clustered together. To someone seeing them for the first time, the overall structure can look remarkably similar.
Color adds to the confusion. Ripe blackberries are commonly deep purple to black, while ripe mulberries can have a similar dark appearance.
However, several visual clues can help.
1. Look at the shape
Mulberries are often more elongated, sometimes resembling a narrow oval or a small stretched-out blackberry.
Blackberries tend to have a more rounded or broadly conical shape, although varieties differ.
2. Look at the plant
This is one of the easiest ways to tell them apart.
Mulberries grow on trees.
Blackberries grow on brambles, which are generally shrubs or trailing and climbing plants. Many blackberry varieties have prickles, although not every cultivated variety is thorny.
If you see the fruit growing directly from branches of a tree, there is a strong possibility that you are looking at mulberries.
3. Look for the stem
Mulberries are often harvested with a small green or brown stem attached. This stem can remain connected to the fruit because of the way the fruit develops on the tree.
Blackberries are generally picked without a long stem attached to the fruit.
4. Consider the texture
Fully ripe mulberries can be exceptionally soft and fragile. They may crush easily when handled.