UK: This British season's blackberries will be sweeter and of a higher caliber

Experts are touting this year's crop of British blackberries as larger, sweeter and more versatile for snacking and meal preparation than hedgerow varieties. One more reason for consumers to choose them in supermarkets and avoid the tempting harvest of wild fruits. Agromonists argue that this "new generation" of blackberries doesn't taste the same as the 300 or so wild subspecies, and that's a good thing. Other blackberries can be too bitter and ruin a healthy dessert or take-out dish. In reality, the ones found in stores are "carefully bred by expert pomologists" and are much more homogeneous in terms of quality and flavor. The only big difference, however, is the size. Supermarket varieties can be more than twice as large... and this year they seem to fit the bill. “This year customers will be able to enjoy sweet, juicy British blackberries well beyond the hedgerow season, thanks to our growers' advanced techniques,” says Nick Marston, president of British Berry Growers. Nick ...