Mulberry is the fruit of the mulberry tree. It is rich in potassium, iron, B vitamins. Its calorie content is only 55 kcal per 100 grams. Fully ripe berries contain a lot of sugar and have a laxative effect. Mulberry is very picky about storage conditions: it spoils quickly and is unsuitable for transportation. In order to enjoy your favorite berry for longer, let’s analyze how to store mulberry in different conditions.

How long is mulberry stored:

  • At room temperature, berries can be stored for no more than 6 hours.
  • A mulberry will last no more than 3 days in the refrigerator.
  • In frozen form, the berry will be stored for up to 1 year.

How to collect

Before collecting mulberry berries, you need to prepare. A polyethylene film or a clean blanket is spread under the tree. Then you need to carefully beat the branches with a long stick. Only ripe berries will fall, and green ones will remain to ripen.

The storage of fresh mulberry berries is short-lived: they quickly release juice and become sluggish. Therefore, when buying, pay attention to the tails – they should be light green in color, without a dark spot at the end.

You need to know how long mulberry is stored at home after harvesting:

  • up to 6 hours on a spread towel in one layer at room temperature;
  • up to 3 days in the refrigerator in a bowl at a temperature of 5 °C.

How to store mulberry

Cold storage

Collected fresh mulberry absolutely cannot be stored washed, as it will instantly release juice and become unsuitable for further freezing or drying.

Wash the berries immediately before starting to heat them (jam, compote, etc.). To do this, water is collected in a bowl, berries are carefully poured into it, then they are just as carefully taken out with hands and dried on a spread blanket.

Before storing berries, it is necessary to sort through, remove leaves and insects, as well as beaten and crushed fruits (it is better to use them immediately for compote or jam). Pour the rest into a dry, clean plastic bowl, cover it with plastic wrap and put it in the refrigerator on the bottom shelf. At a temperature of 5 °C, they will remain fresh for up to 3 days.

Important: very ripe white mulberry fruits cannot be stored in this form, they will release juice and spoil the entire supply. Therefore, they are immediately selected and put into processing.

Storage for the winter

In order to save berries for the winter, you can prepare them in the following ways:

  • freeze:
  • to dry;
  • make compote;
  • cook jam

Freezing

You can store mulberries in the freezer. A properly frozen berry retains its taste and useful properties. You can freeze mulberry berries whole, in sugar and in syrup.

  • Normal freezing. Put dry, clean berries on a tray wrapped in cling film. Put in the freezer for 3 hours, at a temperature of -18 °C and below. Then pour into bags and store at the specified temperature for up to 1 year.
  • Freezing in sugar. Since the berry is already so sweet, you will need 1 glass of sugar for 1 kilogram of fruit. Pour the mulberry into portioned containers or plastic cups, sprinkling each layer with sugar. Close tightly, store at a temperature of -18 °C and below for 1 year.
  • Freezing in syrup. Boil the syrup: 2 cups of water, 1 cup of sugar, cool to room temperature and refrigerate for 1 hour. Place the berries in containers or glasses, pour the syrup so that it completely covers them. Close with lids, store at a temperature of -18 °C and below for 1 year.

how to wipe mulberry

Drying

The most convenient way to dry mulberry berries is special household drying. Place dry, clean berries in a mold, set the mode according to the instructions and bring them to readiness.

Then they need to be cooled to room temperature, laid out in clean, dry glass jars and stored in a dry, dark, cool place for 1 year.

You can also put the berries on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and place in the oven. Dry at a temperature of 50 °C, stirring periodically. Keep the door slightly ajar to allow moisture to escape. The process will take 4-5 hours, as soon as the berries decrease in size and become dry, but not brittle – they need to be taken out and cooled.

How to store dried mulberry, we described above. It is important that the container is hermetically closed.

You can also make dried mulberry. To do this, clean dry berries should be poured in one layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Place it in a hot, well-ventilated place away from direct sunlight. It can be a balcony or an attic. Stirring periodically, bring to a state when moisture comes out, it will take 3-5 days.

Dried mulberry is stored in the same way as dried.

Other ways

And this delicious and healthy berry makes very tasty compotes and jams. When cooking, be sure to taste it so as not to make them too sweet. White mulberry contains up to 25% sugar, so when preparing various dishes from it, it is practically not added.

How to store mulberry for a long time