Mulberries: Nutrition, Benefits and Why We Love Them
Mulberries are small, soft berries that grow on mulberry trees. They look a little like long blackberries and ripen from green to red to a deep purple-black. In Sri Lanka you’ll often find mulberry trees in home gardens, and the ripe berries rarely last long once children find them.
What do mulberries taste like?
Ripe mulberries are sweet with a gentle tartness. Many people say they taste like a mix of blackberry and grape. Because the fruit is so soft, fresh mulberries don’t travel or keep well, which is one reason mulberry jam is such a good way to enjoy them all year.
What nutrients are in mulberries?
Fresh mulberries are mostly water and are naturally low in calories. They contain:
- Vitamin C, which supports the immune system
- Iron, which is unusually high for a berry
- Dietary fibre, which supports digestion
- Vitamin K and potassium
- Anthocyanins, the plant pigments that give dark berries their deep purple colour
Is mulberry jam as healthy as fresh mulberries?
Jam is a treat, not a health food. Cooking and adding sugar changes the nutrition compared with fresh fruit. That said, a jam made mostly of fruit, with less sugar and no artificial colours or preservatives, is a better choice than many sugary spreads. Enjoy it as part of a balanced diet.
Why we make mulberry jam
We love mulberries because they make a jam with real character: dark, glossy and full of berry flavour. Our mulberry jam is cooked in small batches in Colombo with only three ingredients: mulberries, cane sugar and lemon.
Looking for ideas? Read our list of 10 delicious ways to eat mulberry jam.