Now Forage

Blackberry: Fully black (not red or dark red) and comes off the stem with no resistance — zero pull. Dull rather than shiny; a shiny black berry is still slightly underripe and tart. Eat the same day for best flavour.

Common fig: Two crops: breba (June–July on old wood) and main (Aug–Oct). Ripe figs hang downward, skin may crack, feel very soft, and often show a drop of nectar at the eye. Colour depends on variety (green, brown, purple). A milky sap at the stem means underripe.

Persimmon: Non-astringent types: eat when orange and firm. Astringent types: wait until very soft and wrinkled. Both fully orange when ripe.