Blackberry Specification
Contents
General Guidelines
Conventional & Organic Blackberry / Dewberry Specifications
Free From
Free From Damage / Serious Damage
Caused by dirt or other foreign matter, shriveling, moisture/leaking berries, unhealed splits, disease, insects, mechanical or other means.
Defect Tolerances (Count Basis)
| Defect Category | Standard | PACA Good Delivery |
|---|---|---|
| Damage, Including | 10% | — |
| Serious Damage, Including | 5% | 8% |
| Decay | 1% | 3% |
| Total Defects, Including | — | 15% |
Minimum Color Requirements
Well colored for the variety. Dark Blue to Full Black. Minor exceptions for “Red Cell”.
Receiving Temperature Range
Temperatures are very critical to the shelf life of all berries. Pulp temperatures must be taken immediately upon arrival. An initial temperature reading should be taken while berries are still on the trailer. All berries are very sensitive to temperature changes and will react very quickly to the warmer ambient temperatures on the receiving area.
Average Freezing Point: 28.5° to 30.8° F.
Defect Scoring Guide
Score any defect not shown on the following chart when materially or seriously affecting the product’s appearance or edible or marketing quality.