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When it comes to berries, most people stop at strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries—but there’s a whole world of rich, complex, and rare berries that deserve a spot on your plate. From bold and tangy to floral and earthy, each of these lesser-known berries brings something unique to the table. Here’s how they compare, and what makes each one special.
Olallieberry
A cross between Loganberry and Youngberry, the Olallieberry delivers a deep, dark flavor with both sweet and tart elements. It leans heavily into blackberry richness, with plum-like undertones and a slight earthiness. Think of it as bold and balanced, ideal for those who love an intense, fruit-forward experience. Because they grow on California’s coast, we get our Olallieberries from Pescadero, which is less than an hour down Highway 1 from us here in Pacifica!
Mulberry
Unlike every other berry on this list, Mulberries grow on trees and come in white, red, or dark purple varieties. The dark ones are prized for their soft texture and mellow sweetness, often compared to a mix of blackberry and fig with subtle floral and vanilla notes. Their delicate flavor makes them especially enjoyable in jams and syrups that don’t overwhelm their nuance. We use Pakistani Mulberries for our jam, which we source from Fresno, CA.
Loganberry
This accidental hybrid of blackberry and red raspberry brings a bright and tart bite with moderate sweetness. It’s sharper than a standard berry, with a clean, almost citrusy finish. Loganberries are great for those who enjoy a zingy edge without an overwhelming sweetness. We source our loganberries from the Willamette Valley in Oregon.
Boysenberry
One of the juiciest of the bunch, the Boysenberry offers a complex flavor with notes of blackberry, raspberry, and a floral finish. Its sweetness is mellow but full-bodied, with a soft tang that brings it all together. It’s a crowd-pleaser that marries both tart and sweet beautifully. We also get our Boysenberries from the Willamette Valley in Oregon, which is one of the few places around the globe where they can thrive.
Black Raspberry
Smaller and darker than blackberries, black raspberries pack a rich, sweet flavor with hints of cocoa, wine, and earth. They’re not as juicy as other berries, but what they lack in moisture, they make up for in intensity. Their depth makes them ideal for more robust pairings like dark chocolate or sharp cheeses. We get our black raspberries from a specialty fruit distributor, as they tend to grow in regions that are a bit out of our driving range.
Tayberry
A cross between a blackberry and a red raspberry, the Tayberry is soft, fragrant, and slightly floral. It’s sweeter and more aromatic than a loganberry, with a gentler tartness and a smooth finish. Its delicate balance makes it perfect for fresh eating and lightly sweet preserves. While it shares the same hybrid as a loganberry, the tayberry was specifically engineered to have the elegant flavor profile that it embodies. We source our Tayberries from Oregon, as it shares the same ideal growing conditions as its relative, the Loganberry.
Marionberry
Developed in Oregon, the Marionberry is prized for its rich, blackberry-forward flavor with a bright, tangy kick. It’s sweet but never flat, with a subtle hint of spice and depth that shines in cooked applications. Marionberries are firm, juicy, and full of complexity, which is why it has been coined as the “king” of blackberries. Unsurprisingly, we also get these from Oregon, where they were developed and have been able to thrive!
Whether you’re exploring these berries for the first time or already have a favorite, each offers a distinct flavor worth experiencing at least once in your lifetime. Don’t be afraid to taste and compare! These rare berries may not always be easy to find in grocery stores, but we keep our shelves stocked with jams made from all of these delicious berries year-round! Visit our Rockaway Beach storefront or online at https://smallbatchjamco.com to get your berry jam fix for Berry Week!
