Do you wash blackberries?

[whethergirl]

How do you wash blackberries without ending up with a smoothie? We went blackberry picking yesterday and I have tons, some of which I will freeze.

Normally I wash all my fruit with vinegar and water. But washing blackberries even just with water, they just get squashed and disintegrate.

Or do you just not wash them?

I used to leave mine to soak in water overnight so that all the little bugs would rise to the top.

It put me off eating any but the kids used to love them!

Agree with soaking. Found a very interesting weevil in the last lot...

I forgot to say add some salt 30 mins before you drain and wash them off properly.

My Gran insists its the only way to get the worms out!

It could be an old wives tale but seems to work.

I use a clean washing up bowl or similar and fill with cold water and a tablespoon of salt for that quantity of water. Tip the blackberries in and agitate very, very gently - just swirl with your hand, no rubbing or plunging or anything. Leave for at least an hour and preferably two, and then gently tip one corner up to drain most of the water, or scoop out with a sieve. I then tip them gently out onto one half of an old clean towel or tea towel and fold the other half on top. Tap the excess water off in the lightest possible touch, then unfold and voila. Clean dry blackberries to eat. I've never had a 'smoothie' as a result of using this method.

Wow, brilliant ladies, thank you