Wild Blackberries at Broken Chalice Farm
Spring is blackberry pickin’ time in East Texas! Pickers will soon be out scrounging and, scouring fence rows and pastures for, wild southern blackberries and dewberries that grow in the woods from mid-April until early June. East Texans will fuss with the briers and trip over brambles, and pick until their fingers are scratched from here to yonder, just for the sake of a cobbler or two…or three or eight! Not to mention blackberry jam, and fresh frozen sugar sprinkled, and last but not least, homemade blackberry wine!
Blackberry picking is tough (not really if you love the outdoors, and wear long sleeves and bring red bug repellent), but the rewards are plenty, and the memories made are as sweet as the berries.
The tradition of blackberry picking runs deep in East Texas. My grandmother used to take me and my brother picking, and when we started to complain, she would threaten to throw us into the big middle of the patch and make us pick our way out!!. Today, parents continue to pass along the springtime past-time to their children minus the fussing.
In mid May (or sooner call us and we can let you know), come to the patch at Broken Chalice Farm in Ben Wheeler. the latest freeze in March set us back so we are not sure how much we will have, so call us before you come.
Now for just a bit more info…
What is the difference between a blackberry and a dewberry? Dewberries are smaller (roughly the size of a thumbnail) and sweeter. They ripen in April and grow on sprawling vines in the wild. They are indescribably delicious, but some say the sweetness is paid for by braving snakes, stickers, heat, and bugs for bucketfuls of berries.
Blackberries are bigger and blacker. They ripen in May and June and grow on upright canes. Gardeners and farmers raise domesticated and improved varieties, but they grow wild too.
Blackberries are a great fresh ingredient that can help create an amazing dessert or can even be a great addition to a drink.
Blackberries are also good for you!
One cup of fresh blackberries has 62 calories, 1 gram of fat, 15 carbohydrates, 8 grams of fiber, 2 grams of protein, and only 1 mg of sodium. Blackberries are one of the top ten foods containing antioxidants and are packed with polyphenols helping to prevent cancer and heart disease. Blackberries are also filled with anthocyanins (antioxidants which give blackberries their deep purple color) which help in memory retention and the risk of hypertension.
They are said to strengthen blood vessels, help fight heart disease, and help improve eyesight. The high tannin content of blackberries help tighten tissue, relieve intestinal inflammation, and help reduce hemorrhoids and stomach disorders. Ohio State University found that blackberries may protect against esophageal cancer, a cancer caused by gastric reflux disease, but have shown to protect against other types of cancers as well. They contain phytoestrogens (plant estrogens), a compound believed to play a vital role in preventing breast and cervical cancer.
Blackberries are high in Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Vitamin E, Vitamin K, Manganese and fiber. The high fiber content of blackberries help reduce risk of intestinal disease and the risk of developing diabetes. Blackberries are a healthy food choice that kids and adults love. They are a great way to refuel after a hard workout and help aid in fighting obesity.
Spring is blackberry pickin’ time in East Texas! Pickers will soon be out scrounging and, scouring fence rows and pastures for, wild southern blackberries and dewberries that grow in the woods from mid-April until early June. East Texans will fuss with the briers and trip over brambles, and pick until their fingers are scratched from here to yonder, just for the sake of a cobbler or two…or three or eight! Not to mention blackberry jam, and fresh frozen sugar sprinkled, and last but not least, homemade blackberry wine!
Blackberry picking is tough (not really if you love the outdoors, and wear long sleeves and bring red bug repellent), but the rewards are plenty, and the memories made are as sweet as the berries.
The tradition of blackberry picking runs deep in East Texas. My grandmother used to take me and my brother picking, and when we started to complain, she would threaten to throw us into the big middle of the patch and make us pick our way out!!. Today, parents continue to pass along the springtime past-time to their children minus the fussing.
In mid May (or sooner call us and we can let you know), come to the patch at Broken Chalice Farm in Ben Wheeler. the latest freeze in March set us back so we are not sure how much we will have, so call us before you come.
Now for just a bit more info…
What is the difference between a blackberry and a dewberry? Dewberries are smaller (roughly the size of a thumbnail) and sweeter. They ripen in April and grow on sprawling vines in the wild. They are indescribably delicious, but some say the sweetness is paid for by braving snakes, stickers, heat, and bugs for bucketfuls of berries.
Blackberries are bigger and blacker. They ripen in May and June and grow on upright canes. Gardeners and farmers raise domesticated and improved varieties, but they grow wild too.
Blackberries are a great fresh ingredient that can help create an amazing dessert or can even be a great addition to a drink.
Blackberries are also good for you!
One cup of fresh blackberries has 62 calories, 1 gram of fat, 15 carbohydrates, 8 grams of fiber, 2 grams of protein, and only 1 mg of sodium. Blackberries are one of the top ten foods containing antioxidants and are packed with polyphenols helping to prevent cancer and heart disease. Blackberries are also filled with anthocyanins (antioxidants which give blackberries their deep purple color) which help in memory retention and the risk of hypertension.
They are said to strengthen blood vessels, help fight heart disease, and help improve eyesight. The high tannin content of blackberries help tighten tissue, relieve intestinal inflammation, and help reduce hemorrhoids and stomach disorders. Ohio State University found that blackberries may protect against esophageal cancer, a cancer caused by gastric reflux disease, but have shown to protect against other types of cancers as well. They contain phytoestrogens (plant estrogens), a compound believed to play a vital role in preventing breast and cervical cancer.
Blackberries are high in Vitamin C, Vitamin A, Vitamin E, Vitamin K, Manganese and fiber. The high fiber content of blackberries help reduce risk of intestinal disease and the risk of developing diabetes. Blackberries are a healthy food choice that kids and adults love. They are a great way to refuel after a hard workout and help aid in fighting obesity.