King White Mulberries
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Description/Taste
King White mulberries are finger-shaped fruits that measure about 6 to 10 centimeters long. They resemble thin, shrunken green grapes because they are made up of a central stem with elongated cylindrical clusters. These berries start out dark green and gradually lighten into a white-green hue. They are nearly translucent by the time they’re ready for harvest. Each individual berry is arranged into a loose cascading pattern with a thin light green stem. King White mulberries have tiny, nearly invisible seeds embedded within the fruit. These berries have a smooth, glossy surface and soft, fleshy texture. King White mulberries have a distinctly sweet and mildly acidic taste, with hints of honeydew melon, pineapple, and apricot.
Seasons/Availability
King White mulberries are available from late spring to mid-summer.
Current Facts
King White mulberries are botanically known as Morus macroura and are from the Moraceae family, which includes all varieties of mulberries and figs. Other common names for this berry include White Shahtoot mulberry, Tibetan mulberry, and Finger mulberry. This variety is used for its culinary, ornamental, and medicinal values. Their fruit's floral-like appearance and the tree's low-maintenance, resilient nature make it easy to grow King White mulberry trees along pathways, in courtyards, and in gardens. White mulberries offer numerous medicinal benefits and are available in capsule, liquid, and tea forms, which may be purchased in health food stores.
Nutritional Value
King White mulberries have a high fiber content that supports digestive health by aiding in regular bowel movements, preventing constipation, increasing fullness, and stabilizing blood sugar levels. The berries' vitamin C content enhances immune support, collagen production, skin health, wound healing, blood vessel function, and iron absorption. This vitamin also fends off bad cholesterol, lowers blood pressure, and protects against UV rays from the sun. King White mulberries possess iron, a key ingredient for producing hemoglobin, preventing anemia, and enhancing energy and cognitive function. They have antioxidant properties that enhance heart health, improve blood vessel function, and reduce bad cholesterol levels. Alkaloids in King White mulberries have antimicrobial properties and may help regulate blood sugar levels. The fruits' phenolic acid content aids in reducing oxidative stress and inflammation.
Applications
King White mulberries are often eaten fresh out of hand. They may be consumed when under-ripe, but the flavor is much sweeter when they are fully mature. King White mulberries can be used to make jams and jellies. They are also mixed into pies, tarts, cakes, pastries, pancakes, and cocktails. King White mulberries can be chopped and tossed on top of salads, flatbreads, yogurt parfaits, acai bowls, and granola. Complimentary pairings include bramble berries, stone fruit, young cheeses such as burrata and chevre, pork, duck, wild game, basil, mint, baking spices, arugula, mascarpone, and citrus. Mulberries should be washed in cold water and refrigerated in a container for up to 3 days.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
White mulberries played a role in the silk industry that dates back to the 13th century. White mulberry leaves were fed to silkworms who produced the silk for fabric. King James I of England was so fond of this silk that he requested 10,000 mulberry trees to be planted in England to establish a domestic silk industry. He was unaware that the trees should have been white mulberries rather than black, as the white variety produces finer silk. Despite the king's failure to launch a successful silk industry, London still has a flourishing mulberry harvest every summer due to all the trees he planted.
Geography/History
King White mulberries are native to Persia and China. They are a variation of white mulberries that have been growing in Eastern and Central China for hundreds of years, eventually making their way to Europe through the westward expansion of the Silk Road. White mulberry trees became popular in Italy during the 13th century and in France during the 15th century when they were cultivated for silk production. This fruit was introduced to America during the early colonial period when General Oglethorpe imported 500 white mulberry trees to Fort Frederica in Georgia in 1733, in an unsuccessful attempt to promote silk production in this English colony. Despite some types of white mulberries growing in the wild, King White mulberries are a domesticated variety that is only cultivated in gardens, orchards, and small commercial farms. This variety thrives in a wide range of climates, including cool, temperate, tropical, and subtropical regions, and can grow well in both full sun and partial shade. King White mulberries are a rare fruit most commonly found in markets and home gardens in China, Iran, the Southeast and Pacific Northwest of the United States, Mediterranean Europe, and Australia.
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include King White Mulberries. One
is easiest, three is harder.
