Bird droppings make great jam.
Perhaps generated by seeds embedded in bird poop; I’m not sure where this tree came from — I never planted it — but one day there was a little sprout and a few years later it bore its first harvest.
We have two mulberry trees in our yard; the volunteer is fruit-bearing, the other that provides shade to the deck, is not.
Silkworms eat mulberry leaves; maybe I could raise a few silkworms and spin my own fabric — except worms are kinda gross, so I guess not.
Technically, the fruit of a mulberry is not a berry but a collective fruit, in appearance like a swollen loganberry. When the flowers are pollinated, they and their fleshy bases begin to swell. Ultimately, they become completely altered in texture and color, becoming succulent, fat and full of juice.
In appearance, each tiny swollen flower roughly resembles the individual drupe of a blackberry. Mulberries ripen over an extended period of time unlike many other fruits which seem to come all at once. {Wiki} They’re very sweet and mild.
I learned from Martha Stewart to spread an old sheet on the ground and shake the tree. All the ripe fruit fall; I wash, dry, and freeze in quart bags. So far, I have about eight quarts and the tree’s not done. Raccoons come by at night and gorge themselves; during the day, crows and other birds eat from the very highest branches.
Three beautiful specimens. I add them right from the freezer to smoothies and cobblers and I’ll make a batch of jam, too. If I have enough, I’ll make a pie.
Mulberry Jam
(This recipe uses no pectin)
- 2 1/2 cups mulberries, rinsed (the tiny green stems do not need to be removed)
- Approximately one cup granulated sugar (I start with a very small amount of sugar and keep tasting. You can try agave, too.)
- 3 tablespoons water
Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Drop heat to medium-low and add jars and their lids. Simmer for 10 minutes to sterilize. Using tongs, remove jars and lids and place on a clean towel to let cool.
In a medium, heavy-bottomed saucepan set over medium heat, combine mulberries, sugar, and water. Bring to a boil, boil for one minute, then drop to a simmer. Cook fruit, stirring occasionally, until foam subsides and mixture thickens slightly, about 7 minutes.
Using a ladle, carefully transfer hot jam to sterilized jars. Wipe mouths of jars clean and screw on lids very tightly. Let cool at room temperature for at least 8 hours before using.
Related articles
- First time mulberry fruits. (thestartuphomestead.wordpress.com)
I love berries in general and that jam looks delicious. It’s funny since when we went fishing awhile back we went to Wikipedia recently and was looking up some berries we saw. After reading we discovered that what we saw was mulberries. Now you do a post on them and I know for sure.:)
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I guess they can be a nuisance depending on where they’re planted, but I like them, esp since I didn’t even know what it was til it had fruit!
On Tue, Jun 25, 2013 at 8:40 AM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
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Great and that was a good tip with the sheet and shaking the tree.
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It really works to shake it and doesn’t seem to bruise the fruit!
On Tue, Jun 25, 2013 at 1:43 PM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
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They look a lot like brambles, except brambles grow in a bush. Hmm jam. Hmmm pie! Enjoy 🙂
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Not as tart or flavor-specific as other berry types, but a shot of lemon juice makes everything yummy!
On Tue, Jun 25, 2013 at 9:06 AM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
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Oh yay! Can’t wait to taste this treat when the stars align and I visit you!
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Aren’t the stars aligning right now?? The door’s always open for you, CXCB!
On Tue, Jun 25, 2013 at 9:17 AM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
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Wow! After all that, I’m surprised you’re put off by the worms…
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Worms = nightmares. Nuff said 🙂 I’ve picked my share of tomato hornworm and it’s DISGUSTING.
On Tue, Jun 25, 2013 at 10:10 AM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
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What a great post. Great Martha Stewart tip. 🙂
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Oh, it made it soo much easier to harvest than trying to pick them off one by one! Sometimes martha is so smart but sometimes I don’t like her…
On Tue, Jun 25, 2013 at 11:11 AM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
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Looks delicious. Great yard. And yes, that Martha Stewart tip is awesome! Now to find a tree to shake.
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It’s very therapeutic…:)
On Tue, Jun 25, 2013 at 11:46 AM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
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And don’t those look tasty! Wonder what hubby will say if I tell him I need to plant mulberry? I mean, anything that makes jam and cobbler is a must have, right?
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Absolutely! Just plant it away from any sidewalks, pool, patio, etc as the fruit stains plus it attracts critters…
On Tue, Jun 25, 2013 at 12:08 PM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
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I haven’t planted any fruit at this place. The last place we had graced us with plums, peaches, and apricots. I even mention it now and he shudders. 🙂
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That sounds amazing! I know it’s a lot of work but you can do so much with all that fruit!
On Tue, Jun 25, 2013 at 12:50 PM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
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I made jams/jellies until we had to eat it at nearly every meal. It’s likely I still have plum juice if I look hard enough. Made peach syrup one year. It was divine!
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LOL. Could you have sold some?
On Tue, Jun 25, 2013 at 1:33 PM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
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I suppose I could have sold some. But I’m a bit selfish when I have something I like. 🙂 And that was during the elementary years when my oldest son packed pbj EVERY SINGLE DAY for lunch.
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Oh, I know what you mean! I couldn’t sell anything either, I’m almost too selfish to give any away LOL!
On Tue, Jun 25, 2013 at 1:42 PM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
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Those berries do look tasty.
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Thank you! I can’t wait to start baking with them (gotta wait for hubs to get home)
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They’re a beautiful color and not a bad looking tree either.
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thank you!
On Tue, Jun 25, 2013 at 7:51 PM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
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We had a Mulberry tree once. I just loved the fruit and the amount of birds it brought within view. I had forgotten how much I missed that damn tree…. thanks a lot.
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You’re welcome!
On Wed, Jun 26, 2013 at 10:00 AM, Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugbo
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Pingback: Flowering Mulberry Tree — Photos | Enchanted Seashells…Confessions of a Tugboat Captain's Wife
When I initially commented I clicked the “Notify me when new comments are added” checkbox and now each
time a comment is added I get three e-mails with the same comment.
Is there any way you can remove me from that service? Thanks!
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Hmmm sorry about that, no one has ever said that before. I can’t undo anything that you did, but you can uncheck getting updates if that helps. Sorry again!
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