How to pick blackberries

3 min read

Black is when most people pick them, which is usually two or three days early.

What to look for

1
Dull black, not shiny black. A glossy berry is still tart, and the shine dulls as the sugars finish
2
It should detach with barely any pull. A blackberry that resists is not ready, whatever colour it is
3
Unlike a raspberry, the core stays in, so a solid centre is normal rather than a sign you picked it early
4
Wear long sleeves on thorned rows and check the underside of the canes, where the biggest fruit sits out of the sun
5
Berries that have gone soft and dark red are overripe, not underripe. Leave them

Seasons are short and local. See which pick-your-own farms have blackberries on right now.