The Difference Between a Blackberry & a Marionberry

Marionberries

• Often called "the cabernet of blackberries" for its rich, complex flavor, the marionberry is actually the Chehalem-by-Olallie breed of blackberry. George F. Waldo developed the strain in 1956, and introduced it in Marion County, Oregon. Since then, marionberries have developed a huge popularity with growers in Oregon. At the time of writing, they account for about 50 percent of the berry acreage in the state.

  Marionberries grow aggressively in canes up to 20 feet tall, producing many berries of medium to large size. Because of this, an acre of marionberry bramble can produce 5 to 6 tons of berries. These berries can be used in almost any way a traditional blackberry can be, and are often considered more flavorful.

History

• Blackberries exist in multiple continents including Europe, Asia as well as North and South America. The most commonly grown variety in the United States is the thornless evergreen blackberry, which was originally from England and brought to the Pacific Northwest in 1860. Since then, thornless evergreens have become the primary strain of blackberries in the Pacific Northwest--and the most commonly sold in the United States.

Evergreen Blackberries

• In the United States, when one thinks blackberry, it's usually the evergreen from the Pacific Northwest. These blackberries have a higher yield per acre than marionberries, a lower temperature tolerance and a longer growing season. Growers have a lot of financial incentive to use this strain of blackberry. Harvests occur in August, into September, over a month later than marionberries and many other similar breeds of berry. On average, the berries weigh 3.5 to 4 grams each, and have a shiny appearance.

Uses

• Both marionberries and evergreen blackberries have similar uses. Besides the obvious and enjoyable eating of the berries plain, both strains are used for jams, jellies, pies, canning, ice cream flavoring, product flavoring, syrups and more. They are often a summer snack. But because these berries--especially blackberries--are often frozen for commercial sale, consumers can enjoy them year-round.

Economic Impact

• In 2002, the United States Department of Agriculture estimated that bramble berries of all types amounted to 173 million pounds per year. These are grown primarily in Washington, Oregon and California, and take up approximately 25,000 acres of growing land. At the time of estimation, the berry industry was worth $112 million per year. Blackberries and marionberries are a major component of the industry. Other products in the category include raspberries, loganberries, youngberries and boysenberries.