Now Forage

Black mulberry: Deep purple-black when ripe; intensely flavoured and juicy. Spread a tarp and shake the tree — ripe fruits fall immediately. Stains everything permanently — wear old clothes. Do not pick unripe red berries (mildly hallucinogenic).

Pear: Unlike apples, pears ripen from the inside out. Harvest when the skin colour lightens and the fruit separates with a gentle upward twist. Ripen off the tree at room temperature — leave on a counter until the neck yields to thumb pressure.