Szeder

Szeder is the Hungarian common name for blackberry, referring to several species within the genus Rubus that produce edible black drupes. In everyday use, szeder denotes both the fruit and the thorny shrubs that bear it. The most widespread cultivated group is the Rubus fruticosus aggregate, though species boundaries vary by region and classification systems.

Szeder shrubs are deciduous, typically woody and arching, growing to about one to three meters tall. They bear prickles on the canes and compound leaves usually with three to five leaflets. Flowers are white to pale pink and appear in spring or early summer. The fruit is an aggregate consisting of many small drupelets that turn black as they ripen, producing the characteristic sweet-tart flavor.

Blackberries are native to temperate regions of Europe, western Asia, and northern Africa and are now grown worldwide in suitable climates. They require full sun and well-drained, fertile soil, with adequate moisture. Pruning is common to promote fruiting and control vigor: old canes are removed after harvest, while new canes are thinned and supported, especially for trailing varieties.

Szeder berries are rich in dietary fiber, vitamin C, manganese, and polyphenols. They can be eaten fresh or processed into jams, jellies, desserts, juices, wines, and liqueurs. They store poorly when fresh but freeze well and can be dried or canned.

Hungary has a long tradition of growing szeder in home gardens and hedgerows, and the fruit is used in preserves and seasonal dishes. Commercial cultivars include both erect and trailing types, selected for fruit size, flavor, and disease resistance.