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Blackberry vs. black raspberry (13) Wednesday, Apr 2, 2008 11:17 am

I grew up on a spacious tract of land that housed two separate types of nature-grown black berries.  One was the blackberry (left), and the other was the black raspberry (right), or black cap. 

[Image: blackberries.png]

Blackberries are larger and much more sour than black raspberries, but because of their size, they're also juicier.  They're quite edible and useful for making desserts, jams, and wine (none of which have been made by me).  Black raspberries, also known as black caps, grow like weeds and contain a very powerful purple dye, which will stain hands and clothing for days. 

Wendy Wednesday, Apr 2, 2008 1:06 pm

The question is - which do you prefer?

Dave Wednesday, Apr 2, 2008 1:14 pm

100% black raspberries.  But I'll still eat those blackberries you bought yesterday.  They're still good, just a little sour.

Rus Wednesday, Apr 2, 2008 2:39 pm

See Dave.  My answer would have been, whichever one you are going to put in a cobbler.  :-)

Dave Wednesday, Apr 2, 2008 2:57 pm

You're right.  I was only thinking about myself, when I should been thinking about what Wendy could've made for me.  Genius.

Sayin' Thursday, Jul 9, 2009 1:19 pm

There is no such thing as a Black Rasberry.  They are black because they are over ripe.

Rus Thursday, Jul 9, 2009 1:34 pm

So the raspberries are black because they are over ripe, but they're not black raspberries?  I'm confused.

Dave Thursday, Jul 9, 2009 5:46 pm

Sayin', I don't really know how to respond to this.  Yes, in fact there is such a thing as a black raspberry, and no they're not just overly ripe raspberries.  I'm sorry you disagree with this fact.

Lisa Friday, Aug 21, 2009 3:28 pm

Sayin' is completely incorrect.  There IS a difference between blackberries and black raspberries!  They are 2 different fruits, even though they look almost the same.  Red raspberries will never turn black when overripe...they will mold and rot and still be red.  Black raspberries start out red and turn black as they ripen.

Steven Wednesday, Mar 3, 2010 5:46 pm

Man alive there is a major diff between black berries and black raspberries.  Black berries are much less sweet and BR's make a superior pie.  When you pick a BR the little white core stays on the plant and when you pick a BB it comes off.

Don Thursday, Jul 8, 2010 12:07 am

both are of the plant genus: Rubus. Common blackberries are the species: Rubus Fruiticosis. Black Rasberries  are the speicies: Rubus Occidentalis. These are compleatly different.

Kevin Miller Saturday, Jun 25, 2011 11:15 am

Sayin' - Wrong!  There is a black rasberry.  That's what the internet is for, dummy.  Lesson: Never speak in absolutes.  (did I just say "never"?)

Hi Don.  There is also a "western" version of the eastern occidentallis.  It is the rubus leucidermis and originated in the Willimette Valley in Oregon.

Dave Z Friday, Aug 5, 2011 2:23 am

Steven noted the main difference between the two: the central core of the fruit (actually an aggregate of druplets) stays on the plant for raspberries (both red and black). That's what makes a black raspberry a raspberry and not a blackberry.

Kevin's mention of the western black raspberry deserves a second note: the rubus leucidermis is also known as the blue raspberry due to the lighter color they produce. Which is where that garishly colored artificial flavor gets it's name.

Libby Monday, Aug 8, 2011 9:36 pm

I learned something today! I never knew there was a difference between blackberries and black raspberries. I've never had black raspberries before, but I'd like to try some soon.

Why do they make you fill out 5+7=12?

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