Mulberries

Mulberries are considered a tasty, sweet, and luxurious treat, and they are enjoyed in many dishes around the world. They are often used to garnish salads, and they can be used as ingredients in jams and pies. But despite popular belief, creating this delicious little treat and getting them to the dinner plate takes more than simply plucking the berries from a tree. Understanding the journey a mulberry takes to your plate starts by taking a look at the life cycle of the mulberry tree and its environment.

The Life Cycle of a Mulberry Tree

Mulberry trees, also known as Morus alba, are deciduous trees native to Asia and North America. They are fast-growing and typically reach a height of around 20-50 feet. A mature mulberry tree has a prominent trunk and branches with drooping twigs tipped with glossy, dark green leaves and long, 1 to 2 inch-long pendulous fruits that range in color from pink-purple to red-black.

This type of tree is self-pollinated and normally starts producing fruits once it reaches the age of three or four. Primarily, the tree attracts bees and other insects for pollination and relies on the wind for spreading the pollen, a process which is known as anemophily. In most cases, the male and female reproductive parts of the plant must become united by the pollen which is then brought by the insects or wind. The resulting fruits are known as drupes, which are categorized as true fruits because the ovary wall of the flower is converted into a hard skin and fleshy core part.

Mulberries have a relatively short lifespan, with trees typically living between 30-40 years. Generally, these trees must be well-fertilized and well-watered in their early years to ensure healthy growth, but once they reach maturity they require very little care. Mulberry trees thrive in well-draining and slightly acidic soil, with humidity levels ranging between 50%-60%. It is also important that the location of the trees gets enough sunlight and air flow, and receives at least 40 inches of rain per year.

Harvesting of the Mulberries

Mulberries are usually harvested in the summer months when the berries are ripe, that is generally when they are 5-7 cm in size. It is important to pick the berries at the right time because unripe mulberries are bitter and texturally unappetizing. To identify ripe mulberries, look for berries that are slightly soft, somewhat glossy and deep purple to black in color. It’s also important to be sure to pick only organically grown mulberries because conventional growing of the berries can contain high levels of pesticide residue.

Once the mulberries are picked, they should ideally be washed, cooled, and placed in plastic containers for transport. Washing is important as mulberries bruise easily, so always make sure to gently rinse the berries in cold water before packing them for transportation. Due to their delicate nature and short shelf life, mulberries must be transported quickly, and should arrive at their destination within one or two days of being picked.

Processing of Mulberries

Once the mulberries arrive at their destination, the next step is processing them. Depending on the end product, mulberries can be processed in a variety of ways. They can be canned, frozen, dried, juiced, or pureed.

Canned mulberries are one of the most popular end products, and typically involve the berries being peeled and packed in syrup or water to preserve the berries’ original shape and flavor. After being put into cans, the berries are cooked in sugar syrup and pasteurized to kill any bacteria. This is done by heating the canned berries to a temperature of above 75°C for about 30 minutes.

Frozen mulberries are another popular product, and involve the berries being cleaned, frozen, and packaged. This process preserves the natural taste and color of mulberries, but it can be somewhat time consuming and requires more specialized equipment.

Dried mulberries are yet another type of product, and require the berries to be deseeded, washed, and placed in an oven. The oven is set to a low temperature to ensure that the natural flavor and color of the berries remain intact during the drying process. The dried berries are then stored in airtight containers to ensure long-term preservation.

The next type of product is juice, and typically involves the berries being crushed and pressed to extract the juices. This can involve either a mechanical or natural process, with natural resting typically yielding higher quality and purer juices. The extracted juices are then filtered and, depending on individual preference, can be either pasteurized or bottled fresh.

Finally, pureed mulberries are another popular product and are typically achieved either by removing the seeds and skin of the berries, blending them, and adding some kind of liquid, or the berries being boiled and then blended. Depending on the desired texture, the blended mixture can then be sieved or left as is.

The Journey to the Dinner Plate

Once mulberries have been processed, they can then make their way to the dinner table in a variety of ways.

Fresh mulberries can be added to salads, smoothies, and a variety of other dishes, while processed mulberries can be found in stores all year round. Canned or frozen mulberries are typically used in baking and jams, while dried mulberries are often included in trail mixes, granolas, and other snacks. Juices, syrups, and purees are commonly added to various beverages, sweets, and even soups.

No matter the end product, by the time mulberries make their way to the dinner plate, they will have gone through a lot. From surviving the hot summers in the nurseries and being picked, to the processing and packaging in factories, the journey to the table is often long and complex. However, it’s worth it for the delicious and nutritious treats these luscious berries bring to our plates.