Whether you’re enjoying a long countryside walk or simply making the most of your very own garden, if you’re lucky enough to encounter a plant or tree bearing seemingly delicious fruits, it’s only normal to wonder whether or not those very fruits are fit for human consumption. After all, we’ve certainly heard a few horror stories when they’re not! But what about mulberries, specifically?
So, can you eat mulberries? You can eat mulberries so long as they are ripe. Unripe mulberries are mildly toxic, where side effects are common if ingested. That being said, ripe mulberries are long renowned for their downright scrumptiousness and subsequent uses in myriad dishes, from jams to pies and many, many more.
Read on to find out whether or not these juicy berries can, in fact, be eaten.
What Do Mulberries Taste Like?
Mulberries have a flavor that largely resembles a mouthwatering syrup with woody notes.
Though mulberries can be found in several varieties.
Black Mulberries
The most popular and thus, common is the black mulberry, which has the botanical name ‘morus nigra’.
They are just as sweet as they are tart and resultantly exist as a well-balanced treat for one’s taste buds.
Red Mulberries
Red mulberries, known in the botanical world as ‘morus rubra,’ offer a deeply sweet taste whilst retaining a slight tang too.
The general consensus is that they are tremendously juicy and energizing snacks!
White Mulberries
Last but not least, we have white mulberries, also known as ‘morus alba.’
White mulberries are inherently sweet, in a similar manner as mild-tasting honey. They are the most subtle tasting of the bunch, with no tart notes in sight.
They also happen to be the rarest, so you’re much less likely to stumble upon them than their deeper-colored friends.
Despite the difference in their flavors, mulberries, no matter what their variety, can be eaten either fresh or dried.
Rest assured that whatever their form, be it fresh and juicy or dry and crunchy, their flavors can be relied on to shine through time and time again.
Can You Eat Mulberries Right Off The Tree?
You can eat mulberries right off the tree. But before you go ahead and take a bite, you’ll want to be mindful of the following advice: if you’re going to eat a mulberry, make sure it’s definitely ripe!
Many are surprised to discover that unripe mulberries are mildly toxic, and often, when they do discover this fact, it’s under the unfortunate circumstances of them already suffering from the side effects of consuming them.
Namely, stomach aches and hallucinations!
Fortunately, it’s fairly simple to spot whether or not a mulberry is ripe.
Unripe mulberries are usually white in color and can also be shades of light pink and red.
Admittedly, their white color can be a little confusing due to the very existence of white mulberries, which are white even when ripe.
Hence, assessing the color of the mulberries is not enough.
The real tell is in their texture.
In essence, unripe mulberries are hard, whereas ripe mulberries are so soft and fragile that when you touch them, you run a high risk of squishing them and staining your fingers.
When you do find a ripe mulberry, whether it happens to be black, red, or white, be sure to pick away its stems and wash it before eating it.
In doing so, you’ll clear the mulberry of any lingering bugs and impurities and, therefore, will have the pleasure of tasting the mulberry in its absolute prime.
You deserve nothing less!
What Is The Best Way To Eat Mulberries?
Holistically speaking, the best and only way to eat mulberries is when they’re ripe. But you’ll be pleased to know that even though they make a wonderful snack when eaten right off the tree, they can be utilized as a contributing and, oftentimes, the main ingredient in many a wonderful dish!
As an added advantage, it’s typical for mulberries to produce a high volume harvest. Their abundance means that it’s like you won’t be restricted in the number of dishes you can produce.
You’ll probably find that you have enough berries for all of the below and more!
To harvest mulberries as effectively and efficiently as possible, I recommend the ‘shake and catch’ method.
Ripe mulberries are known to pull away from their branches with ease.
This, tied in with the fact that when ripe, they’re extremely soft and juicy, means that the shake and catch harvesting method is the best way forward, as long as you first lay a sheet or net on the ground beforehand!
If you opt to pick them one by one, you’ll only end up squishing most of them and staining your hands in the process.
Here are just a couple of them to serve as inspiration.
Ice Cream
First, ice cream! Mulberries can be pureed and formed into a splendid melt-in-your-mouth dessert.
Preserves
Additionally, mulberries are often used in preserves such as jams; a perfect Summer time spread!
In Pies
Finally, perhaps the most popular way to eat mulberries is in pie and cobbler form.
As a bonus, mulberries are so intrinsically sweet that you won’t need to add as much sugar to your recipes as you usually might have.
Although, a dash of cinnamon is always recommended!
How Many Mulberries Can You Eat?
As with most foods, moderation is key. As a general guideline, it is recommended to eat around 40g per day to keep things well-balanced internally.
Mulberries are more than just delicious.
They are also a great source of a large number of nutrients and vitamins, including iron and vitamin C.
From improved vision to strengthening one’s immune system, their fantastic host of health benefits has them deservingly categorized as a superfood.
Even so, it’s best not to eat too many in one sitting.
The reason is that mulberries have a significantly higher sugar content than several other berries.
As a result, their overconsumption can lead to a few side effects ranging from low blood sugar levels to stomach discomfort.
