If You Haven’t Been Eating Mulberries This Summer, Don’t Miss Your Chance!

Whenever we hear the word “mulberries”, the old childhood song always automatically comes to mind. However, mulberries are so much more than a lyric in a nursery rhyme; they’re one of our favorite berries to enjoy in late summer!

There are three different types of mulberries: there’s the white mulberry, which is native to eastern and central China as well as Europe, the red or American mulberry, which is native to the eastern United States as its namesake suggests, and the black mulberry, which is native to southwestern Asia. Black mulberries are the most commonly eaten, as they tend to be large and juicy, and they taste sweet and tart in equal measure.

Mulberry trees are handsome and grow extremely quickly; in fact, they’re notorious for how fast they proliferate. For some reason, however, they tend not to receive the same attention as your standard blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries get in the culinary sphere.

Mulberries are Hard to Find, But Delicious

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The reason you don’t see mulberries often in grocery stores is that unfortunately, they are not the most commercially viable plant. Mulberries give off a couple of hundred pounds of fruit a year, but they often bruise and leak in transport. But if you are lucky enough to find yourself in the presence of a mulberry tree (they grow in plant hardiness zones four through eight), you can pluck off some edible mulberry leaves and then enjoy the berries, too.

If you want to purchase some dried mulberries online, however, you can pick up this 40-ounce bag of White Mulberry Leaf Powder from Amazon. It is USDA Organic, caffeine-free, and made out of 100 percent white mulberry leaves. Otherwise, you can buy this 14-ounce bag of Divine Organics Raw White Mulberries on Amazon too.

They’re Nutritious

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Mulberries are an excellent source of vitamin C — one ounce of mulberries alone fulfills 130 percent of your daily requirement. They are also high in a longevity antioxidant called resveratrol and contain vitamin C, iron, calcium and fiber, and protein, as well as B vitamins and vitamin K. Fresh mulberries contain 88 percent water and only 60 calories per cup.

Here are Some Ideas of What to do With Mulberries

Okay, you’re convinced that you need to give these special berries a try. Here’s how we suggest using them.

1. Use Them as a Topping in Salads

This Mizuna, Fennel, and Mulberry Salad is pretty incredible. Mizuna is a Japanese green leafy vegetable, which tastes like a mild form of arugula. If unavailable, arugula will make a fine substitute.

2. Bake Them Into Tarts or Tartlets

These Mango Lime Tartlets are raw, gluten-free, and a cool and light dessert. They’re also completely processed-free, grain-free, and guilt-free, and taste so good! These will make the perfect dessert to reward yourself with after a long, hot day.

3. Incorporate Them into Your Trail mixes

This Superfood-Packed Trail Mix contains a nourishing combo of nuts and superfoods, like mulberries, to keep you super energized and feeling at your best.

4. Make Delicious Jams With Them

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First, read our guide on The Simple Way to Make Your Own Fruit Jam. Then, grab a handful of mulberries and get started! We think mulberries would make an excellent swap for blackcurrants in this Healthy Blackcurrant Jam, or even for cherries in this recipe for Coconut Tarts With Chia Cherry Jam.

Not Ready to Use Your Mulberries Yet? Here’s How to Store Them

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Make sure you discard your moldy or crushed mulberries before storing your fresh ones. You’ll want to make sure that the mulberries you are storing mulberries are plump and red, purple, or black. White and red are available in late spring; black mulberries are available in summer.

If you want to refrigerate your mulberries, you can store your unwashed berries in a sealed container, like a plastic bag or some Tupperware, for up to about three or four days. When you’re ready to use them, simply place your refrigerated berries in a bowl of cold water, and then pat them dry very gently. Pinch off the stems of the mulberries before using them.

If you want to freeze your mulberries, then you will want to wash your mulberries immediately after harvesting them. Next, pat the berries dry very gently with a clean cloth, and pack them into a freezer storage bag. Seal the bag closed, and voila! You can store your mulberries in the freezer for up to three months.

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