This morning I ate fresh blackberries on my oatmeal. When I was a kid fresh blackberries in March would have been an incredible luxury—prohibitively expensive—but today they’re a commonplace. Has anyone else noticed that in the last few years we’ve seen inexpensive year-round blackberries? Why? I know that most of the out-of-season blackberries are imported from Mexico but that’s not really the question.
Is there a new cultivar? Improved packaging and/or processing? A different way of transporting them than existed just a couple of years ago?
Are they really inexpensive though? The best price I usually see is $5 for the small clamshell containers (I think they are only half pints but not sure.) My impression is that the producers are meeting the increased demand that has resulted from the good nutritional PR campaign.
We indulge sometimes but mainly wait for summer when we can pick at local farms or even better, pick for free in the N. GA mountains where they grow wild. The only difficulty is timing our hikes when the berries have ripened but the birds and bears haven’t gotten all of them yet. There’s usually enough for snacking but the right timing means we also get enough to bring home for pie or cobbler!
I paid $5 for a pound and a half container at Costco.
Heh. Blackberries seam as year round plentiful as blueberries (Chile, Mexico), raspberries and even strawberries. I’ll have to ask my bro in law in the Ag business. They accompany my oatmeal very single day…..
@CStanley
… bears …
I would suggest splurging, and buying them. If not, do not be one of those damn fools who gets eaten while trying to get your cellphone out to tape the bear.
Hah….if this was grizzly country I’d agree TB but these are black bears. We never see them but see evidence if them.
@CStanley
You cannot trust anybody nowadays including them damn bears. They will do anything to get on Youtube.