- The Real Threat and the Statistics
- Wild blackberries and the safety of consumption
- Usually no danger in your own garden
- tips and tricks
Blackberries set alarm bells ringing for many people, reminding them of childhood tapeworm warnings. many mysterious speculations and half-truths are often entwined around this danger.
The Real Threat and the Statistics
In fact, the fox tapeworm is a disease that has been spreading in Europe for several decades and can be dangerous not only for humans but also for numerous animals. Since the course of the disease can sometimes lead to severe disabilities or even death, the factors of infection and the abstract risk potential should also be discussed in principle. However, the reality is that only very few people fall victim to this pathogen in Central Europe every year. This is not only due to the fact of a declining number of foxes in the forests, but also to the deterrence of many adults and children from snacking on sweet berries in the forest.
Wild blackberries and the safety of consumption
Nowadays, there are many children and adults who refuse to collect and eat any fruit in the wild because of fear of fox tapeworm. However, with their spicy and aromatic taste, wild blackberries can be used fresh or dried if the following safety rules are observed:
- only pick fruit more than 80 cm from the ground
- only collect fruit from areas that have been proven to be free of fox tapeworms
- wash the fruit thoroughly several times
In fact, washing the collected blackberries thoroughly and several times with clear water offers the best protection against infection with the fox tapeworm. This washes away the pathogen and the tasty fruit can be consumed without hesitation.
Usually no danger in your own garden
If you grow wild or cultivated blackberries in your own garden, you can usually feel safe from the fox tapeworm. Unless you have your property directly near the forest without a fence, contact with an infected fox is very unlikely. However, it does not hurt to wash the fruit with clean water before eating it fresh or processing it into juices and jams.
tips and tricks
When picking wild blackberries, don't snack on the fruit right in the forest, despite the temptation. Protect yourself from diseases by first washing the fruit thoroughly with clear water at home.