Conventional & Organic Blackberry / Dewberry Specifications
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Conventional & Organic Blackberry / Dewberry Specifications
General Guidelines
This spec applies to all Blackberries regardless of where they are produced, including organics and imports.
Grade
- GRADE: U.S. No. 1.
- BASIC REQUIREMENTS: Firm, Well Colored, Well Developed, Not Overripe.
- Minimum color: well colored for the variety, dark blue to full black, with minor exceptions for red cell.
Condition
- FREE FROM: Caps/Calyxes, Leaking Berries, Soft, Overripe, Mold, Decay.
- FREE FROM DAMAGE / SERIOUS DAMAGE: caused by dirt or other foreign matter, shriveling, moisture/leaking berries, unhealed splits, disease, insects, mechanical or other means.
- Mold and/or decay are free-from defects.
Temperature & humidity
- Pulp temperatures must be taken immediately upon arrival.
- Take an initial temperature reading while berries are still on the trailer.
- Average freezing point: 28.5° to 30.8° F.
Arrival tolerances
- Good Delivery / Arrival Tolerances are on a count basis.
- Total defects: 15%; serious damage: 8%.
- Decay: 3%.
Defect scoring
Count basis defect tolerances are Damage 10%, Serious Damage 5%, and Decay 1%. Score any defect not shown when materially or seriously affecting the product's appearance or edible or marketing quality.