Learn about the differences and similarities between these two different types of berries. Also can you substitute one for the other in recipes.
Summer time is all about the delicious berries.
Berries come in lots of colors - blue, red, yellow, green, orange, purple, and black.
Today we are looking at berries that are black but not just blackberries. We wanted to explore the differences between the blackberry and the black raspberry or the black cap raspberry.
👁️ Appearance
The berries do look similar, yet they are easy to tell apart. Black raspberries have a whole at the top of the fruit while blackberries don't. Also blackberries are solid black, while the raspberries often show some purple tones.
Just as red raspberries, black ones "pop off the plant" when they are ready to pick. Blackberries need a little more force to pick, but still come off the stem easily when ripe.
Blackberries are larger in size in almost all cases. Black raspberries can range from pinky finger nail small for wild ones, or close to the size of an average red raspberry for cultivated varieties.
📅 When in Season?
The actual peak season for these berries is not quite the same. Black raspberries tend to ripen around mid June to early July in much of the country. While blackberries ripen in mid July to mid August (earlier in warmer area like California). If you are looking for wild ones, you will easily be able to tell the difference by the calendar alone.
Black raspberries are only available to buy during their peak season, while blackberries are in stores no matter what day of the year it is as we get them from Mexico during the fall and winter seasons.
Black raspberries are typically not available in grocery stores and are mainly a "farmer's market or picked yourself at a farm" fruit. If do you seen them at a store it's usually for a very short time.
RELATED - When are Black Raspberries in Season?
👅 Taste Difference
Black raspberries resemble a red raspberry flavor, except they tend to be a stronger in flavor and they are often sweeter. Nearly all black raspberries are going to be sweeter than blackberries. I often find that only the best of the best blackberries aren't really tart.
Blackberries are juicer for sure.
💲 Price Difference
Black raspberries tend to be more expensive. They are more fragile than blackberries and it takes longer to pick a container as they are smaller. In the above photo you can see blackberries selling at a farmer's market for $5.99 for a pint. In the photo below black raspberries are being sold for $4 for a half pint container.
In the grocery store blackberries range in price depending on the season. At least once or twice a year I find them on sale for $1 for a 6 oz container. On average a container ranges from $2 to $3 each. Sometimes you will find larger containers as well for a better value.
🍽️ Recipes
Can you use use them in recipes interchangeably? Absolutely. Depending on size, the time needed for a cooking or baking recipe would change. The amount of liquid in each berry can vary with blackberries have more.
I think really any recipe that works for one will work for the other with only minor adjustments. Since black raspberries are more expensive it will likely cost more to make whatever you are thinking of.
Which do you like better - black raspberries or blackberries? Leave a comment below letting us know.
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