Blackberries, like other bramble fruits, are easy to grow. Some people find them too easy, for they can become invasive in a backyard that’s been allowed to go a bit wild. However, these wild blackberries are the best blackberries for juicing, for they can be harvested straight from the canes and be in the juicer minutes later, without losing any of their freshness or nutrients. You should choose blackberries that are deep purplish-black, look like they’re about to burst with juice and come away easily from the canes. You might want to wear gloves and cover up, since the thorns of blackberries are quite fierce, though there are some varieties, like the Apache, that are thornless.

Try the Farmers’ Market

Ironically, though they can become weeds in a backyard, blackberries are expensive to buy in a store or a farmers’ market. You might want to buy some from a farmers’ market before you visit a supermarket. The farmer will be able to tell you whether the blackberries are organic or not. They might be able to tell you the variety and whether they’re good for juicing, for eating out of hand, for jam and jellies, or all three. Some blackberry varieties also store better than others. The Navajo, for example, can stay firm for up to two to three weeks after they’re picked. Blackberries bought at farmers’ markets are almost certainly locally grown and might have been picked earlier that day. With the supermarket it’s possible that the blackberries were flown in from the other side of the country and have lost much of their flavor.

Blackberries can also be bought in the frozen food section. Some of these blackberries actually retain their flavor. Blackberries can stay frozen for up to two years.

Some Good Juicing Varieties

Some of the best blackberries for juicing are the Triple Crown, another thornless variety with large, sweet berries. Triple Crown berries are known to ship well. Another is Hull, which ripens in the midseason and is very sweet. The Illini Hardy is another good blackberry for the juicer, for it has a medium sized and flavorful berry. Another good blackberry for juicing is the Siskiyou, which has a long and productive season and excellent flavor.