When I was growing up we had a giant mulberry tree in our driveway. Come to think of it, it might have been in our neighbour’s backyard but it hung over our driveway so that made those berries ours right?
My sister used to eat them by the bowlful and I can still remember her purple-stained hands. My pet silk worms even got a go at the mulberry leaves. Of course, back then mulberries weren’t one of my acceptable foods so I never got to try any.
It wasn’t just last week, when a friend brought mum and dad a huge bowl full of them, did I remember the bountiful berries. In flavour I’d say they’re between a blackberry and a blueberry with the staining power of 100 raspberries in one little fruit.
They’re a bit like a multivitamin with all their health benefits too from cleansing blood and your liver and strengthening kidneys to boosting iron, vitamin C and even keeping grey hairs at bay (bet you wish you kept them now dad!).
I froze a whole bunch of them to use in my morning smoothies and the rest went into a deliciously sweet and super simple to make mulberry jam. You can use this recipe with any soft berry like raspberries or blackberries but if you know of a local mulberry tree, why not make it with ‘free’ fruit. Make sure you give them a good wash first though.
Make sure you’ve gotten rid of all the stems from the berries then pop them all in a big saucepan.
Gently heat them over a medium heat and squish them gently to release the juice. It’s amazing how much liquid comes out of these babies. Once they’re all smooshed up (yes that’s the technical term), bring the pot to a gentle boil.
Now add the sugar and lemon juice. Keep stirring the mixture until the sugar has dissolved then bring it to a boil again.
Bottle
I sterilise my jars
If you’re using recycled jars, I have a little tutorial for quickly and easily removing the labels without ruining your fingernails (you’ll also get a bonus tutorial for making pretty labels in less than 5 minutes without having to buy anything). Click here to view.
To seal them, turn them over onto their heads.
Apparently, if you store the jam in a cool, dark place it will last up to 2 years. I’m not sure it would last that long in my house!
I can see mulberry swirl pound cake in my future. Enjoy!
What about you? Did you have any fruit trees near by when you were growing up?
NOTE: mulberries stain big time so wear old clothes and an apron just in case.
- 500g fresh-picked, firm, ripe mulberries
- 500g sugar
- juice of ½ lemon
- Pull all the stems of the fruits and put them into a large saucepan.
- Heat it over medium heat and crush the berries to squish out the juice.
- Bring it to a boil then add the sugar and lemon juice.
- Reduce the heat and stir the mixture until the sugar dissolves.
- Bring it back up to the boil for a few minutes and then bottle and seal the jam.
- Store it in a cool, dark place and it should keep up to 2 years.
Hi. I am about to try and make some mulberry jam from the berries on my very small and very young tree. Every day I would go out and pick whatever fruit was ready, bring it inside, wash it and put it in a container in my freezer. The idea was to build up a supply of enough to make a jam. I do not know how much they weigh, but I will soon find out.
Next time I might even try adding a little bit of choko to the mix to bulk it up since chokos are known to take on the flavour of whatever they come into contact with…but NOT this time as it will be my way of testing to see if it makes a difference to the taste.
Hope the jam turned out to be successful. Great tip to share on chokos. Enjoy!
Claire. Cut a twig or two from your favourite mulberry tree and plant it. How they grow! Same with figs. Green fingers.
Thanks for the tip Fay!
Hi this is a lovely recipe and set of comments. But did you know that the unripe mulberries are the natural cleaner of mulberry stains? Crushing unripe mulberries on your fingers completely removes the stains! Enjoying our huge crop at the moment, along with the regent and satin bower birds, channel billed cuckoos, wallabies, possums, bandicoots, koels (when they arrive), figbirds, orioles, and every other species that love mulberries!
Oh wow Jill I never knew that. Thanks for sharing!
We used vinyl gloves to pick and stem the fruit – no stained fingers! Also nail clippers are an easy way to remove the stems
Great tip thanks for sharing!
I grow a draw mulberry tree. It only grows a few metres and is easy to prune and keep head height to pick berries. I fertilise with a fruit tree fertilizer and get loads of berries every August/September. Will try this recipe this season.
I meant a dwarf mulberry tree, sorry.
I hope you enjoy it Ronald!
I was born 1946 lived with my grand parents for first 7 years. Grandma had lots fruit trees and chooks etc. The mulberry tree I thought was hers was the neighbours, so big it grew over our fence. We moved when I was 7 and dad took a slip and planted at our new home. Those days long gone – I have just picked a huge bowl from trees my neighbour planted outside their back fence on council green. (With their permission) Saving them from the birds and bats. Will try your recipe. Thanks.
Beth
Beth what a wonderful memory! I hope you like the jam.
I’m going to try this recipe. This is my first time trying to make jam . I have 2 mulberry trees in my yard. I just moved here 2 years ago. The problem I’m having collecting the berries is I spread a king size sheet over my driveway and I wasn’t getting many. climbed up in the tree to shake them down. I looked down and my dog was eating them as fast as I could shake them down . lol So now he has to stay in the house while I’m berry picking.
Haha that’s one clever dog!
Hi! My family bought a home that came with a mature mulberry tree. Lucky! I’ve been harvesting them like crazy this last week, and am looking forward to our first taste of yummy homemade jam.
But, I’m still new to canning, and have only ever done tomatoes and sauce so far. Forgive the newbie question, but don’t I have to water bath them to seal the jars? Is it really just put the hot jam in, screw it shut and tip them upside down for them to seal themselves?
Thanks for sharing the recipe!
That’s all I do yep! I am very jealous of your mature tree! I have one that is 18 months old now and have only had a few berries.
Hello Claire, Thanks for the awesome recipe! Just curious as to how long exactly do they keep in a cool dark place? This is my first time ever canning something and don’t want to mess anything up.
No problem Carlos! I have kept them up to a year but apparently as long as they’re sealed well they will keep up to 2 years.
I think I’m defiantly going to try this I did have a mulberry tree in my back yard when I was younger and now in my side yard where I’m living now it stains the sidewalk next to it lol.
You’ll have to save all the berries before they stain!
Hi Claire, well our tree didn’t even fruit or when it did over the past year was very minimal to not at all. We picked another two large bowls maybe almost equally to two 4litre icecrem containers full and maybe one more. So we have made two lits of jam now and a family member suggest a mulbery tart. We have given some if the jam we made to family and the first big jar if jam is almost empty. Lol I think with the tree and fruiting maybe try a good fertilizer and watering as we have had some good lots of rain before fruiting so not sure if that’s our answer this year. And we have horses so the fertilizer side is a plenty, though I think it could have more to do with the chickens who free range around the tree.lol But honestly I am not to sure what else has made the difference this year. It has been the first time the tree has ever fruited like that since we have been here, so 3.5 years. This year was the first year it has produced fruit like this. Oh the jam was scrumptious, a real treat. So blessed to have this amazing recipe to add to my book. Thank you
Thanks Tracy! Yes watering it more would definitely help. I must set a reminder. I have fertilised it and come to think about it it was doing much better when we had chooks. Must give it another feed!
Well the adventer as two Adults today, my partner and I raided our mulberry tree. And again we managed to collect a large slald /mixing bowl full of mulberries. Before they all got eaten we are trying your jam recipe. On the stove now. Can’t wait to taste the delicious jam once ready. And yes we have the ever purple hands (and mouths of the ones that didn’t make it to the kitchen lol) gosh it certainly brings back great childhood memories. Though I only can get in trouble by myself for being all purple now but the reward in the end will be well worth any giggles over the next few days if mulberry stains. (Should be another large bowl full ready in 3-4 days. (Actually my partner said he hasn’t seen soooo many mulberries on one tree. Which is amazing considering the past three years we had almost none. Thanks for sharing your recipe and to everyone for their wonderful stories.
Oh wow Tracy I wish our tree would produce like that! It’s only a year old but not looking great this year. Any tips? That’s sort of gives me hope if you’ve had years with hardly any. I hope you liked the jam.
Hi im 64 years old have always made jams relishes pickles but have only found my 1st mulberry tree amazing flavour and benefits…off to make mulberry jam
Enjoy yvonne!
I have 2 mulberry trees, both loaded at present. We have been picking them for a couple of weeks now. Our 3 Grandchildren have all been raised with mulberries and mulberry jam. They love climbing the trees to get to the fattest, juiciest ones at the top and who cares about the stains. They wash f sooner or later.. We are planning on moving soon, and I will be taking a couple of cuttings with me. Love the jam recipe, this weekend will be jam making.
Oh how wonderful Lynne! We have a tiny tree in the backyard and have only had about 15 fruit so far this year but my son just loves them. I haven’t gotten one myself! I can’t wait until we get a decent crop in a few years.
To remove stains just pick some green mulberries and wash with them. Rinse off. It removes stains from hands etc.
Thanks for the tip Gwen!
It is a tradition in my family to plant a mulberry tree when a child is born. By the time they can pick the fruit, the tree will be bearing beautifully. If you trim the tree after the spring crop, you can get a second crop in autumn, if you feed the tree well.
What a lovely tradition Carole! I didn’t know you could get a second crop either. I will make sure I prune it.
I use gloves to pick mulberries so my hands dont get staind, but I would like a few recipes so I can choose which one to make because I live in SA.
A great recipe! I have mulberry stained hands as I type…..an early crop for me this year. Heaps picked and more to be picked. Might have to do a couple of batches….thanks for posting
That is early April. Mine are all still green and I’m just hoping like crazy I get some before the birds do. You’re welcome!
Hi not sure if you will get this I live in Hervey Bay Queensland, i have a mulberry tree that had been badly neglected I cut it right back and l mean cut, last year it didn’t bare much fruit so trimmed and feed it and today l picked 10kilo off fruit and that’s just the start, it is laden, but l noticed the birds were eating them so l got some old DVDs and put them on string so they move in the breeze, problem solved. l cut it back so l can just stand on the ground and pick them without using a ladder awesome. sooo now I’m about to make jam, thanks for the recipe.
Cheers Debra
You’re very welcome Debra. I think after this year’s crop I will need to cut my tree back. There isn’t much fruit and the poor tree is quite small but I’m sure it will get there. I hope you enjoyed the jam.
Looks like such an easy recipe! We have hundreds of mulberries on our tree almost ready to pick! My kids will be so excited for some yummy home made jam too! Thanks for the recipe
You’re welcome Sarah. I hope mine is the same. It just just a few little green berries at the moment. I’m hoping the birds don’t get them before we can.
Nice and Simple recipe…I just picked more or less 2 kilos of fruits, and will try this recipe…THANKS
How exciting Edwin. Enjoy! I was just given my first mulberry tree so I am very excited to make a batch from my own fruit soon.
Use the unripened berries to remove the actual berry stains. Just squish between fingers or rub on clothing, feet, etc. then normal wash.
That’s a brilliant tip Helena thank you!
We have a mulberry tree, they grow so easily from cuttings, I’m picking mulberries everyday at the moment and going to try your jam!
I’m trying to convince my husband to get one Jenny!
Yesterday we joined a load of people in Penrith at Nepean River who were picking mulberries and I’m making this jam as I type – looks delicious. The mulberries trees are popular at ths time if year nd everyone is picking and chatting bout what they will make – my 65 year old dad ended up climbing one and passing the fruit to my two year old who was delighted to get stained fingers !
Mulberries create such happy memories for people don’t they? I wish I had a tree nearby!
I think many councils think fruit trees are high maintenance, but in fact there are many that are not at all high maintenance. The mulberry for one, birds people everything eats the fruit before it falls and it can make a lovely tree for public spaces, nice and shady in summer nice and architectural in the winter. You will have to campaign. I don’t live in Australia but my mum just moved there, she already planted a walnut tree, plum tree and a mulberry though at 83 she might not get to see too many fruit. Anyway it’s nice she thinks of the future and for others who will get the fruit and nuts, those parrots certainly will thats for sure (:
Aww that’s so lovely! I think I do need to get campaigning. It would be such a lovely addition to neighbourhoods.
Oh oh oh Mulberry jam is possibly the most delicious jam in the entire world, thanks for the lovely memories. My mum used to make a delectable moist chocolate cake with mulberry jam in the middle, those flavours choco and mulberry are made in heaven like chocolate and apricot jam or orange.
A few weeks ago I was besides myself with happiness as I found a jar of mulberry jam all for myself for sale in some far flung part of Northern Thailand. What is also interesting is they have quite a few varieties of mulberry growing there, some with fruit as long and thick as your middle finger black and sweet sweet sweet. Another type and there were many was ruby red, short fruit but double, and also a very nice flavour.
They even grow well on Tasmania where my Mum lives. We ate some off a tree on a farm that sold cherries. They were very tasty.
Funnily enough the actual jam is impossible to find in most shops across the world. Strange as the trees are very good bearers mostly.
I never knew there were different types of mulberries. They sound wonderful! I think every street should have a shared mulberry tree!
Thats very sociable of you. Its a nice idea. They use orange trees as street trees in Morocco, mulberries as shade trees in public areas in Pakistan, in the case of the mulberries the fruit doesnt get a chance to make a mess as its eaten, people idly chat in the welcome shade while plucking the fruit.
See why do they not use fruit trees on public land in Australia? It’s such a great idea!
Awesome recipe! I love mulberries, they are soo good.
I recently learnt how to grow mulberries so I am going to try this recipe when my mulberries are ripe.
Thanks for sharing 🙂
Jess
I made a recipe very similar to this (slightly less sugar) however it didn’t fully set and is quite loose. How long will it take to firm up? Can I add pectin to the jam now if i bring it back to a boil/warmed up?
This recipe is quite a loose jam David. I’m not too sure about using pectin sorry!
I live in Barbados where it is always summer, but I have two mulberry trees. They bear fairly well but not like those Isaw in other countries. However I own a book called “The Berry Book” which contains the history of all th e know types of berries in the world, with a few recipes followin each history. I tried the recipe “Rummy Mulberries”. It was delicious though I had to wait three months for it ro be ready. You dissolve 1/2 cup sugar in potent rum. Wash the jars and cover the mulberries with the rum-sugar solution. Tightly seal and store in a dark closet for three month. good served over ice cream, but I must confess that . It was superdelicious!!!in my wine glass!
Maizie that sounds absolutely delicious! I assume it would work with other berries too? Yum! How wonderful it must be to live somewhere where it’s summer all year round.
Nice recipe. I was just reading about how to grow mulberries so it was very timely.
Thanks for sharing.
Jess
It was indeed! Glad you like it Jess!
Thanx for the recipe, I’ve just made it (3.5 jars) and couldn’t stop tasting it, yummy!
I’ve been eating mulberries for breakfast everyday with yogurt also perfect with ice cream.
We pick our mulberries from the park just around the corner. Councils really should plant more fruit trees in public spaces. I love the idea of free food availble in a communal enviroment.
What a wonderful idea! It seems mulberry trees pretty much look after themselves so they’d be a great way to start. Glad you like the recipe!
I really like liquidy or saucy jams. The really firm ones with lots of pectin don’t do much for me. This one would in all of its dark beauty! 😀
Good point they’re hard to spread too aren’t they?!
So many memories…there was a massive mulberry tree in the paddock adjoining my parent’s home. I would climb it’s branches to gather the fattest berries to make a mulberry self saucing pudding I learnt in home economics at school I would have severely purple stained feet and fingers which never bothered me.( At 12 this was an adventure) Mum was always horrified and made me scrub the offended areas with soap for the longest time.
I also recall another time later when I had been suffering from glandular fever. I was awakened from my stupor by the cries of two friends from school who had the good intentions of visiting me but were distracted by said mulberry tree. They could go no further than the back stairs as they were covered mulberry wash from face to toe. (I wish I had taken a photo as they could never recall the experience – you see they had decided to smoke some weed and so the mulberries were far too irresistible to avoid – I think they managed to harvest most of the fruit that year all in one afternoon!!!) I have kept this cherished memory as both guys were so funny and ‘off their face’ – totally oblivious of their shabby physical appearance and trying to incoherently express their concern for my health… So totally wonderful I thought.!!
Haha those are some pretty entertaining mulberry stories Kris! I remember mum used to put my sister in old clothes to eat them!
My grandparents had mulberry trees and our fridge was always full of mulberry jam. I used to love it but surprisingly, not many of my friends have tried it. Such a shame my Oma sold the house, along with the free supply of mulberries!
You don’t really see them around much do you? I’m going to have to hunt down some trees!
I think every Aussie kid has worn that mulberry stain. What a great looking jam. The colour is gorgeous. I didn’t know mulberries had so many health benefits. Didn’t we all grow up with either an over-hanging mulberry tree or one at a BFF’s house xx
I didn’t either Charlie but it turns out they’re as good as other berries and a lot cheaper too! You’ll have to pick some when you get the leaves for your silk worms x
Good Day
Yes that is so true. I live in Nelspruit Mpumalange South Africa and it is mulberry time I just love them I am going to make jam now and I am going to use this resapy. I can’t wait to start .
Enjoy!