Seeing blackberries emerge in the hedgerows always lifts my spirits! I can never resist the red ones, which has something to do with my love of sour fruits, and also that my mother told me not to eat the red ones. They never did give me a sore tummy, just secret delight from the intense sour sensation on my tongue!
We have a wild strip beside our house acting as a barrier between us and the railway line from Nailsea to Bristol. We can't see the trains as they pass 2-3 carriages deep, down a steep slope covered in trees. This little patch of wildness offers me sanctuary throughout the seasons and is abundant in plant, bird and other animal species.
From my window I can see willow, hawthorn, birch, maple and hazel. The birch is a particular treasure as it attracts tiny little yellowy-green-goldish birds, which eats its seeds whilst hanging upside down! I once counted 30 of them in just one tree, and they're not the only winged visitors. We've even had a couple of bright green wild parakeets sharing the birch seeds!
Other delightful feathered friends are bullfinches who we've watched eating the old dried blackberries in the depths of winter; a welcome sight that lifted the guilt of not having cut back the brambles sooner!
These brambles started creeping over to our fence a few years ago and were such a delight for breakfast that I trained them along our fence in the same way I'd watched my husband train his tay berries in the front garden. We now have an abundance outside our front door.
Which I consider very lucky after reading that it will keep away the vampires, who allegedly will be so busy counting berries they'll forget why they've come!
Old folk beliefs might seem odd to us, in much the same way modern day life would confuse our ancestors. An old herbal mentor called Christopher Hedley once told me that blackberry picking is a past-time that the ancestors understand, and so he likes to imagine that they are standing there with him joining in the fun!
Every year during my childhood we collected blackberries for crumbles and pies, mixed with apple. With my mum, my brother, my grandparents, my aunty and my cousins. It's just as good a communal activity, as it is a solitary one.
Foraging makes sense. It's peaceful out in the blue and green. A meditative, joyful act that brings us closer to nature and more at ease within ourselves, energised for what comes next. whether it's the simplicity of adding them to porridge, pancakes, smoothies and ice-cream, to sweet baked puddings and preserves.
Most people know they contain lots of vitamin C, however, did you know that the leaves contain even more? I've taken to drinking the leaves as an alternative to black tea, as it has a very similar taste due to its high astringency.
This astringency, of tightening of proteins has the effect of drying up leakages in the body, such as diarrhoea, runny nose, catarrh, excess menstruation, and bleeding gums. It also helps clear the heat of fever, restlessness and insomnia. With antibacterial properties, it's great as a mouthwash, and as a gargle relieves sore throats, mouth sores and gum inflammation. It is also antioxidant rich, as are the berries which contain the purple/black anthocyanin pigment.
So whether you eat the berries, or drink the leaf tea, you'll be keeping your microbial load down and giving your immune system a boost.
I often find myself in awe of the fact that whatever we need can be found right here on our doorstep!
On Thursday 1st September 2022, I'll be hosting a 'Blackberry Feast' in our local park. The invitation is to come along and share blackberry dishes that you have prepared specifically for the occasion, in your own home, from your own pre-foraged wild berries. We can then feast together and share recipes.
This is a bring and share affair, so remember to arrive ready foraged with your dish prepared!
It could be the traditional crumble or pie, maybe muffins or preserve, perhaps cordial or syrup. What other creative ways can you use these delicious and nutritious berries?
Let’s celebrate natures abundance together!
Feel free to share or not to share.
Meet on the hill in a Peel Park, Long Ashton, with your culinary creation and together we’ll celebrate our shared harvest!
Spread the word, everyone welcome!
This event is free!
If this event is not local to you, create your own celebration of natures bountiful berries!
Follow the link to the facebook event: https://fb.me/e/23DC2VR6W
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