Fresh Mulberries in Istanbul

Those of you who follow the blog know that I love mulberries. Well, dried mulberries really. I had not had a fresh mulberry until today, when I spotted one at a fruit stand in Bebek, Istanbul. To be honest, I was not even sure that they really existed. For some reason, I thought mulberries were only to be eaten dried. That was quite silly of me to think, but until one does not see something, sometimes it is hard to believe.

The mulberries were not hard to spot. I was walking down the street (after just enjoying a Mastic-flavored gelato by the way), when I caught large white berries out of the corner of my eye. They were so fluffy, almost cotton-like, and clear white. They looked exactly like the larger, water-filled version of their dried counter part really (I feel a bit like Russel Brand with this explanation). I bought a small amount of the berries, which basically meant me telling the fruit seller “Very little” in my Tarzan Turkish, and then nodding and using hand movements to get the right amount into my box.

I enjoyed the berries tonight. I can’t say that they are my favorite fruit. I would be grossly exaggerating. But I did like them quite a bit. Their texture is like eating a giant blackberry about to explode, with a very elusive sweetness that just hints that it is a fruit. I would not pair them with anything, because you would miss their flavor if they were combined with anything else. I prefer dried mulberries, because their flavor is much more concentrated and delicious, though still quite elusive. Their texture is also a bit more fun, since it is slightly chewy. Regardless of my relaxed attitude towards them, I am glad that I found fresh mulberries in Istanbul today. What is ever more exciting than discovering a new fruit?