Searching for blackberries in hedgerows is a typically British activity. As well as being a fun pastime to entertain the kids during the school holidays, it enables you to make delicious jam, pies and other summer treats.
Between mid and late August, thousands of blackberries will be ripe and ready to pick, and you don't have to live in a rural area to find them, as they can grow pretty much anywhere.
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Where is best to pick blackberries?
Blackberries are brambles which bear deep purple fruits. Hardy plants, they can thrive in parks, woodlands, shrubberies, hedgerows, gardens, canal towpaths and other more unexpected environments, such as overgrown urban alleyways.
You can enjoy blackberry season UK-wide, as there's no one location that's better than others. From Land's End to John O’Groats, wherever blackberries grow, it's possible to pick them, as long as you don't trespass onto private land.
In the 19th century, blackberry picking wasn't just a hobby: fruit picking provided income for casual labourers and because blackberries were so hardy, the crop hardly ever failed.
Many of today's parents will have enjoyed blackberry season when they were young. In the days before our lives were overwhelmed by technology, there was nothing better than heading off to the great outdoors with our plastic containers to grab as many blackberries as possible.
Is it safe to eat wild blackberries?
After deciding where and when to pick blackberries, UK adventurers may wonder whether it's actually safe to eat them. Generally speaking, the experts believe it's completely safe, as there are no harmful varieties.
However, it's common sense to pick them away from busy roads, as they could easily have become contaminated with pollutants if heavy traffic is thundering past day and night. Those growing in woodlands are less likely to have been exposed to vehicle fumes.
It's also a good idea to be mindful of blackberries growing in hedgerows that border fields of crops, as they may have been sprayed with insecticides. Blackberries growing low down on a bush might also have been exposed to dogs.
What are the health benefits of eating blackberries?
Blackberries have been used for health purposes since the time of Ancient Greece, when they were eaten to help soothe sore throats and mouth infections.
During the American Civil War in the 19th century, the soldiers drank blackberry tea to combat dysentery.
Rich in nutrients such as potassium, magnesium and calcium and vitamins A, B, C and E, they also contain important antioxidants known as anthocyanins.
How should you prepare blackberries?
Blackberry picking UK-wide is at its peak between mid-August and mid-September. It pays to go out regularly to get as many as possible during the season, as the best ones will have gone by the end of September.
Most health experts advise washing blackberries before eating them. They can be cooked fresh for various recipes, but a lot of chefs advise freezing them first to kill bugs.
Wash the blackberries at home in water containing a little salt and then set them aside to dry before using or freezing them.
How do you store blackberries?
Fresh blackberries won't last long without the proper storage. Even after just a couple of days, they can start to overripen and will lose their texture and flavour.
Before freezing, spread them in thin layers, separated by foil or greaseproof paper, in a plastic container for the most effective results. Don't pack too many in or they could get squashed. Add a label on the box with the date when they were frozen.
You don't need to freeze all of them. Place the ones you're using for a pie, dessert or jam in the fridge initially, as this will preserve them sufficiently. If you've picked a large number, store the excess in the freezer, or they will go off before you've had chance to eat them.
What are the best blackberry recipes?
If you're making blackberry puree for desserts, you can stew them and then freeze the puree if you can't eat it quickly enough. It can be brought out and defrosted as and when needed.
You don't have to be a great cook to enjoy cooking success. Simply do a Google search for "blackberry recipes" and you will find plenty to try.
Look out for blackberry jam, blackberry and apple pie or crumble, blackberry cobbler, blackberry sorbet, blackberry and coconut tray bake and blackberry coulis. These are just a few of the simple recipes you can try with your wild blackberries.
The simplest jam recipe requires 1kg of blackberries, 900g of granulated sugar and the juice of one lemon. Simmer the blackberries with the lemon juice until soft and then sieve the mixture to remove any pips.
Stir in the sugar to the fruit pulp over a medium heat until it dissolves. Then, bring it gently to boiling point. Check whether the jam has reached its setting point by placing a small amount on a cold plate. Run your finger across it as it starts to cool. If it starts to "wrinkle", it should set when cold.
Pour the jam into warmed jars and seal them. The jam will last for about a year in a properly sealed jar. Once opened, keep it for about a month in the fridge. You can keep fresh blackberries, or blackberry jam, in the freezer almost indefinitely.
Be a responsible blackberry picker
Remember to behave responsibly when blackberry picking, as the tangled bushes and dense thickets are home to birds, small mammals and insects.
The brambles can also protect new tree seedlings from being eaten by deer in woodlands. Don't be tempted to strip the area completely! No-one can feasibly eat that many blackberries in one summer and you may upset the ecosystem.
After the end of September, they are past their best and may be soft, soggy or half-eaten by birds and insects, so make the most of August and early September and enjoy blackberry picking season while the weather is fine, and the fruit is ripe.