Produce
Blackberries
Blackberries have the best fiber-per-calorie ratio of any common fruit — nearly 8 grams a cup. They also carry substantial residue evidence, and they show one of the higher above-tolerance rates in the programme, which is unusual for a berry.
Organic upgrade priority
Prioritize organic
Score 38/100 · about $3.00 a week extra for a household of two
- →Conventional samples index 74/100 against 16/100 for organic — a 58-point difference.
- →At about 1.5 servings a week, the difference applies to a smaller share of what you eat.
Key numbers
- Residue evidence
- 74/100
- Higher residue evidence
- Nutrient density
- 86/100
- Per calorie, across the whole database
- Typical price
- $3.49
- per 6 oz container · organic +43%
- Servings a week
- 1.5
- Per person, at typical purchase volume
- Samples
- 883
- Conventional, 2023–2024 · 138 organic
- Data confidence
- High
- Set from sample size and year coverage
Organic vs conventional blackberries
| Measure | Conventional | Organic |
|---|---|---|
| Samples analysed | 883 | 138 |
| Program years | 2023–2024 | 2023–2024 |
| Samples with any residue | 91% | 34% |
| Mean residues per sample | 4.3 | 0.7 |
| Samples above the EPA tolerance | 3.40% | 0.00% |
| Relative residue evidence index | 74/100 | 16/100 |
| Typical price | $3.49 / 6 oz container | $4.99 / 6 oz container |
Nutrition
Per 1 cup (144 g).
62
calories
2 g
protein
7.6 g
fiber
7 g
sugar
- Fiber 27% DV
- Vitamin C 50% DV
- Vitamin K 29% DV
How to wash blackberries
Blackberries bruise faster than any other berry. Rinse briefly, spread on a towel, and eat the same day — a soak turns them to mush and drives water into the drupelets.
Washing reduces surface residue and soil. It does not remove systemic compounds taken up into the plant, and no soap, vinegar, or commercial produce wash has been shown to beat 30 seconds of plain running water by a margin worth paying for. Full washing guide.
Buying and storing
- ◆Red drupelets on an otherwise black berry mean it was picked early and will stay sour. Look for uniformly matte-black fruit with no leaking juice at the bottom of the clamshell.
- ◆A cup of blackberries delivers more fiber than a slice of most whole-wheat breads, which makes them the cheapest way to close a fiber gap with fruit.
Common questions
›Should I buy organic blackberries?
Yes, if you are upgrading anything. Blackberries scores 38/100 on organic upgrade priority — conventional samples index 74/100 against 16/100 for organic, and at roughly 1.5 servings a week per person that difference applies often. The upgrade costs about $3.00 a week for 2 people.
›Are blackberries high in pesticides?
Blackberries shows higher residue evidence — an index of 74/100 relative to other commodities. Across 883 conventional samples from 2023–2024, 91% contained at least one detected residue, averaging 4.3 distinct compounds per sample, and 3.40% exceeded the applicable EPA tolerance. A detection is not the same as an unsafe level.
›How much more does organic blackberries cost?
About 43% more at typical U.S. retail — $3.49 per 6 oz container conventional against $4.99 organic. For a household of 2 at normal purchase volume that is roughly $3.00 a week.
›How should I wash blackberries?
Blackberries bruise faster than any other berry. Rinse briefly, spread on a towel, and eat the same day — a soak turns them to mush and drives water into the drupelets.
›What can I buy instead of blackberries?
If the organic version is out of budget or the fresh price has spiked, Frozen berries, Blueberries, Kiwi cover similar ground on this list. Each one is either lower on residue evidence, cheaper per serving, or both.
Related foods
Frozen berries
$4.49 / 16 oz bag · organic $5.99
Blueberries
$3.99 / 11 oz container · organic $5.79
Kiwi
$0.79 / each · organic $1.19
Avocados
$1.49 / each · organic $2.29