They may look very similar and are often mistaken for one another. But black raspberries are not the same fruit as blackberries. However, both are highly nutritious and can be enjoyed in a multitude of ways.
Black raspberries and blackberries are sweet, tasty, and nutritious fruits.
Given that they have a similar deep purple color and appearance, many people think they’re different names for the same fruit.
However, they’re two distinct fruits. Keep reading to learn the difference..
Blackberries and black raspberries are often mistaken for each other due to their similar appearances and they are botanically related.
However, the two fruits have distinct flavor profiles, with blackberries being more tart, while black raspberries are sweeter.
It’s hard to tell them apart when they’re on the vine. Blackberries may be thornier than black raspberries, but thornless blackberries also exist.
It’s much easier to tell the difference after harvesting. Simply look at the side of the fruit where it was plucked from the stem. Black raspberries leave a piece of the inside of the fruit on the stem from which they’re picked, so they have a hollow core — like a mini cup — the same way red raspberries do.
With blackberries, the entire fruit comes off the stem, so they’ll have a white or green core where they were attached to the stem.
If you compare them side by side, you’ll also notice that the drupelets of blackberries are smooth and glossy, while raspberries are covered in tiny white hairs.
Both are soft, perishable fruits, but because of their hollow core, black raspberries are softer and even more perishable than blackberries.
Black raspberries also have a very short growing season, while blackberries are more widely available year-round.
Regardless of which you pick up at the grocery store, both blackberries and black raspberries are full of beneficial nutrients.
Both fruits are low in calories and excellent sources of fiber, which can help regulate your blood sugar levels and digestive system.
A serving of either fruit also adds a significant amount of vitamin C to your diet, which is important for maintaining a healthy immune system among other benefits.
Also, like other berries, both fruits have health-promoting compounds called polyphenols.
These plant compounds have antioxidant properties, which means they can help protect cells from oxidative damage. In doing so, they may help reduce the risk of certain chronic conditions like
Anthocyanins are a type of polyphenol that gives blackberries and black raspberries their inky-black color. Both fruits have impressive amounts of anthocyanins, which are linked to healthier blood vessels and may help protect cells from mutating and becoming cancerous.
Both of these berries are delicious when eaten fresh. Because they’re soft fruits and highly perishable, make sure to keep them refrigerated and use them up within 2 to 3 days.
Fresh black raspberries and blackberries can add a pop of deep, rich color to a fresh fruit or leafy green salad, work well as a topping on oats or yogurt, or be included in a cheese platter.
Both berries are also available frozen. In fact, because black raspberries have such a short growing season, you might have more luck finding them frozen — or freezing your own.
With frozen berries, you can enjoy their flavor and health benefits any time, as their
Frozen berries are great to use in baking, as a sauce on top of pancakes or waffles, or in smoothies. For a high protein breakfast, you could try this simple, 5-ingredient blackberry parfait.
Another way to enjoy either fresh or frozen blackberries and black raspberries all year round is to make them into jam. Because they’re more tart, blackberry jam may need a bit of extra sugar, so give it a taste before canning.
Although they appear very similar, black raspberries and blackberries are actually two distinct fruits.
To tell them apart, look for the telltale hole in the bottom. Black raspberries have a hollow core, while blackberries are solid.
Regardless of which one you choose, these fruits have a similar nutritional profile, and they’re packed with beneficial antioxidants that can help support your overall health.
For anti-inflammatory meal ideas, check out Healthline’s anti-inflammatory recipe collection.