Blackberries (Rubus fruticosus) have just started to ripen as the blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum) are giving us their last fruits. We are fortunate as the progression of different berries takes us from late May to early September with fresh fruit for our morning breakfast just steps away.
There is always a tendency to pick the fruits early as if we don’t they will dissipate in the ether and the wind. Such fears are based on the many years of such actions by wily competitors in the forms of birds, deer, chipmunks, rabbits, etc. that look to take advantage of our inattentions and lack of protections.
I think little of that now as I look to harvest the first of these plump drupelets and pop a few into my mouth. More than a little resistance to my tug tells me if they are ripe or not. But I ignore this and I fight the berry pulling it off with a jerk. I soon regret this decision, popping the sour fruit into my mouth, puckering up with repulsion. Juana points me to a better and riper pick and I am rewarded with a fresh and sweet squirt of juice.
Even at this early stage, some berries are past their prime giving me a jolt of fermented liquid. Blackberry cordial on the bramble.
