Monday, July 22, 2013

Black Mulberries and Summer in Chicago

Mmmm... Black mulberries...


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It's my last few days in the Chicago area, so I thought that I'd do a little post on something that played a huge role in my summers growing up around here: the black mulberry.

In Chicago black mulberries are almost a weed, so most people don't even realize they're edible!

But they're not only edible, they're downright delicious. They're rich, sweet, and messy to eat, which make them a perfect kid food.

Many people mistake black mulberries for blackberries because their berries are similar. However, blackberries grow on a woody shrub called a bramble, while mulberries grow on trees. When I was little, I practically lived in the black mulberry trees near my apartment and school.

ABC Wednesday

11 comments:

  1. Well, enjoy your trek to the Empire State! But glad you are enjoying your NOW, now.

    ROG, ABC Wednesday team

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  2. The caterpillar (reminiscent of Alice in Wonderland) looks like it approves of black mulberries.
    Very interesting to find out the difference between black mulberries and the blackberries which grow wild around my hometown in southwestern British Columbia.
    K

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  3. When I was growing up a friend that we often visited had a big mulberry tree in her yard. I would climb the tree and eat my fill of mulberries.
    An Arkie's Musings

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  4. We have a prolific Mulberry tree in our backyard.
    I had always thought mulberries grew on bushes because of that kid's song.
    We found out how delicious they are when we moved into this house.

    I do see a huge worm in your picture. It looks like the kind that like to invade the tomato plants.

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    Replies
    1. That's actually an image from Wikipedia. The worm is a silkworm, which is actually a caterpillar.

      Your tomatoes might have caterpillars, too, such as the hornworm of this guy: http://extension.umd.edu/growit/photos-cabbage-looper

      Thanks for the visit to my blog!

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  5. These mulberries look inviting! Is it a worm or a caterpillar hanging there?

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    Replies
    1. Caterpillar. It's an image from Wikipedia; that's a silkworm.

      Delete
  6. My son has a mulberry tree that really makes a mess on his patio. I guess he needs to prune it and then enjoy the harvest. Kate, ABC Team

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  7. Oh wow! I want a black mumbleberry pie warm with vanilla ice-cream, please! ;D

    Leslie
    abcw team

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  8. Oh my goodness, I haven't seen a mulberry in ever so long. They don't grow well where I am.

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  9. Impossible to forget…look at this photo! 🤩✨
    ❤️NY

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