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Growing Better Blackberries

For more than 30 years, Driscoll’s has been growing blackberries. We ensure year-round availability by growing blackberries in Central and Southern California, Central Mexico, and the Pacific Northwest.

At Driscoll’s we cross-pollinate by hand in a way that is similar to how plants propagate in nature to develop our proprietary varieties. We ensure superior flavor and quality by breeding proprietary varieties of blackberries, using only natural breeding methods. You can also be assured that our berries are never genetically modified. Driscoll’s plant breeders annually review tens of thousands of blackberry seedlings to identify a handful of plant varieties that merit further testing. It takes 5 to 7 years to produce a seedling that is ready for commercial production.

Selecting a Perfect Blackberry

When choosing blackberries, look for deep, evenly colored berries with a nice sheen. The berries should be plump and dry and should not have dents or bruises. Blackberries range in color from deep blue/purple to deep purple/black. Blackberries are often two-tone in color, which is perfectly natural and does not affect ripeness.

Care & Handling

For best results, Driscoll’s recommends that you refrigerate your blackberries and keep them dry in storage. Blackberries, like their bush-berry cousin, the raspberry, are especially fragile. It is important to handle them gently when rinsing. If you plan to freeze your blackberries for jams and jellies, Driscoll’s recommends that you wash your berries carefully in cold water and pack them into freezable containers. Berries need to be rinsed just before use.

Blackberry Recipes

• Blackberry and Brie Omelet
• Orange Panna Cotta with Blackberries
• Blackberry Pear Asian Salad
• View More Blackberry Recipes