Mulberries (Anatolia, Turkey)
With their delicate crunch and subtle sweetness, Turkish mulberries are a true delight for the senses. When biting into these antioxidant-rich berries, you'll experience a delicate burst of flavor that's earthy, yet fruity, and light. The taste of mulberries is often described as a cross between raisins and figs, with a unique hint of honey-like sweetness. These sweet antioxidant powerhouses have been used for centuries in Traditional Chinese Medicine for their power to boost immunity.
Rich in fiber, protein, iron, magnesium, calcium, and copper, as well as vitamins C, E, and K, white mulberries also contain a potent antibacterial compound known as Kuwanon G, unique to this species. Turkish mulberries are a must-try for any food enthusiast looking to add a touch of luxury and exoticism to their palate. (PMID: 34220247)
The Origin of White Mulberries
"White mulberries have been valued since Roman times and appear in some early Greek folklore. The white mulberry tree is native to China. Silkworms exclusively eat mulberry leaves and prefer Morus Alba, the white variety.
As the Silk Trade Route expanded West, the white mulberry tree was brought West as well. While the two other varieties of mulberries, black (Morus Nigra) and red (Morus Ruba) are common throughout the United States, the white mulberry is very rare and wasn’t introduced at all until colonial times.
In 1733, a man imported and planted 500 white mulberry trees in his orchard in Georgia in an attempt to establish the silk industry in the US. Unfortunately, he was largely unsuccessful in his endeavors, but the white mulberry tree,while rare, can still be found throughout North America, even as far as California. Today the largest number of white mulberry trees can be found in Anatolia, Turkey." (Source)
Known as “Dut” in Turkish, mulberries are sold in local markets (“Pazar”) and commonly displayed among other dried fruits and nuts, (called “Kuruyemiş.”)
“Turkey has very old mulberry cultivation, and mulberries are one of the main fruits grown by Turkish farmers. The four mulberry species (Morus alba, Morus nigra, Morus rubra, Morus laevigata) can be seen in different agro-climatic regions in Turkey. There is no registered mulberry cultivar in Turkey but each region has its own local genotypes which propagated by budding or grafting over many years (Ercisli and Orhan, 2008)."
“Mulberry is found from temperate to subtropical regions of the northern hemisphere to the tropics of the southern hemisphere and they can grow in a wide range of climatic, topographical and soil conditions. “ (Source)
"Mulberries tolerate various soil conditions. They thrive in most soil types including clay, loam, sand, acidic, and alkaline... Mulberries are drought-resistant once established." (Source)
Antioxidant Powerhouse
Antioxidants are compounds that protect the body from free radicals, which are unstable molecules that can damage cells and contribute to aging and disease. Rich in antioxidants, mulberries contribute to your general well-being and may help enhance beauty.
Mulberries have a particularly high content of flavonoid antioxidants, which have strong effects on specific body systems. Resveratrol, for example, has anti-aging effects, reduces inflammation, and may protect against certain types of cancer. It also strengthens blood vessels and promotes cardiovascular health. Anthocyanins help reduce inflammation.
Another notable benefit of Turkish mulberries is their high content of Zeaxanthin, a type of carotenoid that accumulates in the retinas and helps protect against age-related macular degeneration, and reduce the amount of damage from oxidation, offering protection from harmful UV rays. Furthermore, the flavonoid antioxidants in these berries may help improve cognitive function, reduce the risk of neurodegenerative diseases, and support overall brain health.
The Use of Mulberries in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Herbology
Mulberry fruits, known as “sang shen” in a Traditional Chinese Medicine and Herbology Framework, have been used for their medicinal qualities for centuries. Each plant part, from root bark, to leaves, to the delicious fruit, has unique characteristics and a different therapeutic use.
“Mulberry fruit is a sweet, gentle, and cooling blood tonic that enhances the nourishing, cooling, and moistening (Yin) aspects of the liver and kidneys. Chinese medicine utilizes this herb to treat deficient conditions such as anemia, dry constipation, and the premature graying of hair. The ability for this fruit to treat deficient conditions may be due to the fact that it contains significant amounts of vitamin A, B1, B2, C, protein, lipids, and anthocyanins. According to Subhuti Dharmananda, president of the Institute for Traditional Medicine, the high levels of anthocyanins, “may improve blood circulation and other body functions to alleviate many symptoms that arise under deficiency conditions.” In China today, morus fruit is bottled as a beverage and marketed to improve the immune system, enhance general health, and promote longevity.” (David Treviño, “The Mulberry Tree in Chinese Herbology”)
“Mulberry (桑葚子 sāng shèn zǐ), a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in Taiwan, has many bioactive substances, including polyphenol and anthocyanins compounds. Over the past decade, many scientific and medical studies have examined mulberry fruit for its anti-oxidation and anti-inflammation effects both in vitro and in vivo.
The deep colored mulberry fruits are rich in phenolic compounds, including flavonoids, anthocyanins, and carotenoids.[7,8,9] They represent one of the most widely distributed classes of flavonoids in plants. Such natural substances extracted from plants have been shown to have greater antioxidant and antiinflammatory effects and have been used for health maintenance and disease management since the beginning of recorded history.[10] Mulberry is traditionally used in Chinese medicines as a pharmaceutical for antifever diuretics, liver protection, eyesight improvement, blood pressure reduction, and cardiovascular disease prevention. Dietary mulberry has been reported to have not only antioxidative, antiinflammatory, antitumor, and antidiabeticeffects, but also cardiovascular, hepato-, and neuro-protective properties. [11,12,13,14,15,16].
Rich in Iron… unique for a berry!
Turkish mulberries pack a nutritional punch.
Mulberries contain more iron than any other berry, making them a beneficial addition to any diet—especially for vegans.
Iron is an essential mineral that helps produce hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen throughout the body. Without enough iron, the body cannot produce enough red blood cells, which can lead to anemia and fatigue.
“A great diversity of nutritive compounds such as fatty acids, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and bioactive compounds, including anthocyanins, rutin, quercetin, chlorogenic acid, and polysaccharides have been found in mulberry fruit depending on the cultivars and maturity stages.”
— (PMID: 29129054)
High in Fiber, Minerals and Nutrients
Mulberries are a great source of dietary fiber, which plays a crucial role in digestive health - keeping you feeling full and satisfied. The fiber in these berries can help regulate blood sugar levels, lower cholesterol levels, and promote feelings of fullness, making them an excellent addition to any weight loss or management plan.
Mulberries are also a great source of many other necessary nutrients such as calcium and magnesium, which are important minerals for bone health, as well as vitamin C and vitamin E, both of which are essential for healthy skin and immune function.
Antibacterial Properties
One of the most impressive health benefits of Turkish mulberries is their antibacterial properties. Mulberries contain a potent antibacterial and antimicrobial compound known as Kuwanon G, which is unique to this species. This compound has been shown to be effective against a wide range of harmful bacteria, including those that cause food poisoning and respiratory infections. This makes mulberries a valuable addition to any diet, especially during cold and flu season. (Source)
“Active components of mulberry fruit have demonstrated numerous biological activities, including antioxidant, neuroprotective, antiatherosclerosis, immunomodulative, anti-tumor, anti-hyperglycemic, and hypolipidemic activities in in vitro and in vivo studies.” (Source)
