Mulberries are only in season for a few weeks in late spring and early summer. The fruit is used to make pies and tarts, as well as wines and cordials. But because of the berry's brief season, we can only enjoy their slightly tart and refreshing taste for a short period of time. Freezing is the easiest way to preserve mulberries so you could enjoy them year-round.
Mulberries almost always come off of the tree with a little bit of stem attached. You can leave the stem on or remove them before freezing, whichever you decide.
Wash the Mulberries
Before freezing, wash the mulberries to remove potential bacteria that could be lurking on the berries, such as salmonella,E. coli, ornorovirus. Run the berries under cool water and let them drain for a few minutes in a colander.
Single-Layer Freeze
Freezing the berries in a single layer will ensure that the berries will remain separate once they are frozen. Spread whole, washed mulberriesin a single layer on a baking sheet or on plates. Freeze the fruit, uncovered, for at least 2 hours, or until completely solid.
Transfer to Freezer Containers
Once the berries are frozen, you can transfer them to BPA-free,non-plastic freezer containers, or freezer bags. Make sure to label and date the containers. You can store mulberries in the freezer for up to 6 months. They are still fine to eat after 6 months, but their quality and flavorcontinue to degrade over time.
Ways to Use Frozen Mulberries
There are many ways you can use the frozen mulberries, from smoothies to baked goods and jam. You can blend straight-out-of-the-freezer mulberries with milk (or a non-dairy alternative), yogurt, and honey, or another sweetener of your choice. The frozen berries will give your smoothie a thick, cold, milkshake-like texture.
You can also add frozen mulberries to pancakes, muffins,and quick breads. Although the mulberries will cook along with the rest of the ingredients, berries that start out frozen in these recipes will not bleed their color as much as fresh berries tend to do.
Frozen mulberries are just as good as fresh for making mulberry jamand other sweet preserve recipes. Stockpile them in the freezer during the harvest season, and get around to that jam project later when you have time.
Using Thawed Mulberries
You can use thefrozen mulberriesto make sorbet or ice cream, but you will need to thaw them before you transform them into a frozen dessert. You can also thaw frozen mulberries and puree them to make a simple, flavorful sauce to spoon over yogurt, cake, or fresh fruit. Add a little honey or sugar and a small squeezeof lemon juice to intensify the mulberry flavor, if desired.
Nutritional Facts
A 3 1/2-ounce serving of raw mulberries has 43 calories, can provide up to 44 percent of your daily value of vitamin C, and 14 percent of your iron needs. The fruit and leaves are sold in various forms as nutritional supplements. The mature plant contains significant amounts ofresveratrol, particularly in the stem bark, which some speculate can lead to longevity.
FAQs
Transfer to Freezer Containers
Make sure to label and date the containers. You can store mulberries in the freezer for up to 6 months. They are still fine to eat after 6 months, but their quality and flavor continue to degrade over time.
What is the best way to preserve mulberries? ›
Freeze 'em! Wash, then spread over a tray, place in the freezer until frozen and freeze in an airtight container.
Should you soak mulberries? ›
Kay Stevens, author of Wild Season: Gathering and Cooking Wild Plants of the Great Plains, recommends soaking the mulberries for three minutes in salt water — ¼ cup salt to a gallon of water — draining the salt water and then gently rinsing.
Do I have to remove mulberry stems? ›
You will probably want to remove these stems, although eating them is not dangerous.
Why don't stores sell mulberries? ›
While mulberry trees are easy to grow, the fruit is difficult to harvest and has a refrigerated shelf life of two to four days. That's why most grocery stores don't carry them. The mulberry looks like an elongated version of the more popular blackberry, almost conifer shaped, and grows on several species of the tree.
How to use frozen mulberries? ›
Once they are frozen you can transfer them into a container or freezer bag. Freezing them on the sheet pan first helps them to not all freeze together in a solid clump. Use your frozen mulberries to top Crockpot Steel Cut Oatmeal, yogurt with Homemade Granola, or add them to Smoothies or Mixed Berry Rhubarb Crisp.
Can you eat mulberries right off the tree? ›
Eating mulberries:
Luckily, they're totally edible, so it's really just an aesthetic problem. And, though it goes without saying, you should wash them thoroughly before eating. The absolute best thing is just eat them off the tree, but the next best thing is to mix them into some homemade ice cream.
How do you get rid of bugs in mulberries? ›
Mulberries are a snap to process. All you need to do is wash them. I always let berries soak in water with a tad of vinegar for a few minutes to kill germs and make any little bugs turn loose, but it isn't necessary.
Are mulberries safe to eat raw? ›
Some people place sheets or other materials around mulberry trees to catch the berries as they drop. This makes them quick to collect. While they're often eaten raw, mulberries can also be used to make jams, preserves, pies, and a variety of other delicious treats.
How to prep mulberries? ›
Mix mulberries and 1 tablespoon water in a large pot; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover pot, and simmer, stirring frequently, until berries are softened, 15 to 20 minutes. Mash berries using a potato masher.
Harvest season begins mid-June thru August. Fruit will be large, sweet and black when fully ripe. You can hand pick or lay a sheet or tarp under the mulberry tree and shake the branch gently.
What does mulberry do for the body? ›
Mulberry is a particularly rich source of vitamin C. Vitamin C acts as a powerful defence system against various diseases. It enhances immunity to fight several micro-organisms such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi. A cup of mulberry fruits is approximately equal to the amount of vitamin C needed for the entire day.
How many mulberries are safe to eat? ›
How many mulberries should I eat a day? It is recommended to eat almost 40 grams of mulberries a day.
How can you tell if a mulberry tree is male or female? ›
Mulberries make separate flowers with only one or the other sex: “female” flowers lack stamens, and “male” flowers lack pistils (Fig. 9). Both female and male flowers also lack petals. So, for example, a “female” mulberry flower will have only sepals and a pistil, and a “male” flower will have only sepals and stamens.
What can I do with unripe mulberries? ›
Note: It's best to leave unripe mulberries on the tree because they won't ripen after they've been picked and can cause upset stomachs if eaten unripe. Storage tips: Refrigerate and store in a shallow container and wash only before eating.
