


‘Akala (Rubus macraei) is a native Hawaiian raspberry. It’s unusual for its large edible berries and slightly thorny stems. Most Hawaiian native plants didn’t need such lures or defenses because there were no grazing animals in Hawaii until their introduction by humans.
The berries are larger than non-native blackberries, but less sweet, and their juice was used as a dye in days gone by.
The next time you come across them try.
Crushed with a bit of sugar on some type of sweet bread and some whip cream or ice cream. I think that will make them tasty.
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That would work. They do need a bit of added sweetness.
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I have a go at them for sure Graham 😋
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These days they’re popular in jams, probably with a bit of sweetener added.
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There are things coming out of the berries that could be hairs, or tiny spikes. But surely you couldn’t eat them if they were sharp?
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I think those are just hairs. It’s the stems that have the little spikes.
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I would give them a go. Love raspberries!
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Not as sweet as raspberries I think. I’ll have to test one next time I see one.
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So pretty! They look just like our salmonberries in the Northwest. Must be in the same family.
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Yes, many of these berries are in the Rubus family.
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