Psst, have you seen any good mulberries?
The mission, if you choose to accept, is to help Howard George of Huntington Beach get a freezer full o' mulberries.
Here's his e-mail to the Daily Dish:
For me, no other berry comes close to the flavor and taste of mulberries. I first tasted them more than 20 years ago at the Santa Monica Farmers' Market and fell in love with them. I quickly learned, and was disappointed to know, that the season for these fabulous berries lasts less than two months from late June through early August. Every year I made it a habit of picking up many pounds and freezing them to enjoy long after the season had ended.
Six years ago I moved to Huntington Beach and have yet to find mulberries at any regular supermarket or farmers' market during the berries' season. So I am writing to you to ask for your help in finding this wonderful fruit in Orange County. With the season soon upon us, I do not want to go yet another year without mulberries. Your help will be greatly appreciated!!!
Howard, we know just how you feel. Times Food Editor Russ Parsons says that hunting mulberries can be tough -- and that it pays to know the right people. So dear readers, please keep your eyes peeled for these little berries, and leave a comment on The Daily Dish letting us know where they've been spotted.
-- Rene Lynch
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Photo credit: Annie Wells / Los Angeles Times
do what I did when I couldn't find them-- I bought a tree (morus nigra.) $95 and it was already producing berries right there at the nursery. Wish I'd bought a dozen. That's my plan in fact!
Posted by: Elizabeth | July 06, 2009 at 08:09 PM
I planted a Mulberry Tree in my backyard! Been eating them for a month!
Posted by: Patty Reid | July 03, 2009 at 10:09 AM
BD Dautch of Earthtrine Farms in Ojai has wonderful mulberries around this time of year.
I also know of a tree "in the wild," but I ain't sharing. Sorry!
Posted by: Lisa McKinnon | July 01, 2009 at 06:33 PM
Alex Weiser of Weiser Family Farms says: “The closest market at which we sell Persian mulberries is Long Beach [E. Marina Drive and 2nd Street, Long Beach, Sunday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.]. We did pick a few today, but decided to wait another week until there’s more on the tree. We should have them in Long Beach the Sunday after next, July 12.”
This Southeast Long Beach farmers market is of course not in Orange County, but it’s a reasonable drive from Huntington Beach.
Posted by: David Karp | July 01, 2009 at 05:54 PM