Freezing Blackberries

I have always washed them, then open freeze them and then put them into a box in the freezer. That way they don't clump together.

I only really use them for crumbles or ice cream, so I'm not bothered if they are mushy when defrosted.

I freeze them, maggots and all, on a tray then bag. I always use them cooked so not worried.

I do the same as you, Tanith; soak them in salt water, but then I let them drain in a cloth or kitchen paper as much as possible before they go in a single layer onto trays lined with cling film. When they are frozen they should come away from the cling film when you lift it and empty straight into freezer bags.

Hello tanith, I bought a blackberry bush from Aldi in Brittany three years ago and last year I had 22lbs of fruit.

I was amazed and eventually had to freeze much of the blackberries. I spread them on a tray, threw any away that were other than perfect then gave them a quick brush with a dry paintbrush. I didn't 'open' freeze them, just bagged them in zip lock bags in 1lb quantities.

I have been defrosting them for pies and jam making. They defrost very well and are not too mushy which is just as well because this year's crop is looking dodgy after a few months of unusual weather patterns in Brittany. Hope this helps.

Thanks everyone I think I’ll carry on washing them but try the tip with cling film it’s interesting reading all the different methods.
Shysal not sure I want to eat any maggots though?

I usually wash them (pick out any maggots although there aren't many at all yet!) then freeze in reusable polythene boxes. It doesn't really matter if they stick together as they usually go into a crumble or get made into bramble jelly at some later date.

We've had a lot this year and there are loads more to come on.

I used to put them in salty water and was horrified at the amount of maggots that would sometimes come out!

I never wash but am careful when picking to avoid any soft ones. Almost all are used in jam or crumbles. Just wondering about reason for washing?

Maggots mainly Farmor15 luckily I didn’t get any today.

My father used to say not to worry about the maggots because they were full of blackberry anyway! I have never forgotten this.

Do those of you who wash the fruit never eat any from the bush as you pick?

My aunt, who lived until she was 95, said that maggots were just more protein!

Maggots won’t hurt you! I must have eaten thousands over the years, especially as a child. Always ate blackberries straight off the bush whilst out walking.

just freeze them on trays before bagging. And agree, always eat straight from the bush - lots of raspberries at the moment. Great thing is that they are too high to be spoilt by foxes. Defrost on trays too, with kitchen paper at bottom.

I do know maggots won’t hurt me I just prefer not to eat them thanks ?

I do what Shysal does, pick them, a quick visual check when I get home then bung them in a big plastic bag. If they stick together give the bag a good shake. That will make them freeflow.

I too open freeze them as i get a few at a time from my wild garden. I dont use cling film as i avoid it for ethical reasons. When frozen i put into an ice cream box which is plastic but well reused. Berries last up to a year. They are green in northumberland yet though