Alchemy: Superfruit Mulberry

We were super lucky to discover Mulberry Haven this Spring in Ojai, California, an organic fruit farm established in the late ‘70s and known as the oldest mulberry farm in North America. 

Holly Vesecky & Josh Beckman, creatives and city quitters from Los Angeles and Carol, Holly’s mum welcomed us with open arms into their picturesque orchard paradise with five varieties of mulberries and other fruit trees fruit trees like carob, pomegranate, persimmon, Sunshine grapefruit, blood orange, fig and avocado widely spread over 2 acres farm land in the magical Valley of the Moon.

Since ancient times, the mulberry tree is known as a mystical, sacred tree. In China, a Red Mulberry is said to have been the Divine Tree upon which the mythical sun bird sat, providing a gateway from Heaven to Earth.

Many sacred rituals were performed in mulberry groves and the trees were frequently planted in sanctuaries and pilgrimage routes all across Asia. In Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine the mulberry is taken for colds, strengthen joints, protect the liver, and to improve eyesight.

The colourful berry is a little powerhouse of a fruit-as-medicine and it’s healing qualities are immediately felt in the body and soul, packed with high amounts of both iron and vitamin c, as well as potassium vitamins K and E. 

The flavourful super fruit is the most delicious to be eaten alone right of the tree with no attention to its purple staining power on hands or clothes. Mulberries are precious and quite perishable but freeze and dry well. They are amazing in smoothies (Mulberry Coconut or Mulberry Honey Dew Lime), as fruit cobbler or popsicle and make superb jams.

However, the fruit isn’t the only part of the mulberry tree that may offer health benefits. For centuries, its leaves have been used in traditional medicine as herbal tea and are highly nutritious, loaded with powerful plant compounds like polyphenol antioxidants, as well as vitamin C, zinc, calcium, iron, potassium, phosphorus, and magnesium.

We spent an unforgettable afternoon, connecting with these wise trees, harvesting and indulging an abundance of mulberries and ended our visit with a surprising dip into the refreshing Ventura river.