Select plump, well-colored blackberries. They should not have stem caps attached. If hulls are still attached, the berries are immature and were picked too early. Avoid berries showing any signs of decay. When buying berries, shop with your nose. Always pick the plumpest and most fragrant berries. They should be firm, bright, and fresh looking with no mold or bruises. If possible, buy locally grown berries. They're likely to be sweeter and juicier than those that are bred for shipment. Select berries that are in dry, unstained containers. (Stained containers may indicate over soft berries that are not freshly picked.) Mold on berries spreads quickly. Never leave a moldy berry next to a good one.
Do not wash or hull berries until you're ready to use them, and refrigerate unwashed berries as soon as possible. Store them in a colander in the refrigerator. This allows the cold air to circulate around them. Tip: Remove berries from refrigerator 1 to 2 hours before serving. Berries are at their fullest flavor at room temperature.
