Are all blackberries seedy? The truth about seeds in your favorite berry

December 19, 2025 •

4 min read

Botanically, blackberries are aggregate fruits, with each tiny bump, or drupelet, containing a single seed. This meant that for a long time, the answer to 'Are all blackberries seedy?' was an emphatic yes, but new innovations are changing that reality.

Quick Summary

While all traditional wild and cultivated blackberries contain seeds within their drupelets, recent gene editing advancements have produced the first truly seedless variety, now in field trials.

Key Points

Not all blackberries are seedy: While traditional blackberries have seeds, new CRISPR gene-editing technology has created truly seedless varieties now in field trials.
Wild vs. cultivated seeds: Wild blackberries typically have more seeds that are larger relative to the fruit, while cultivated varieties are bred for less noticeable seeds.
Low-seed cultivars: Certain varieties like 'Arapaho' and 'Navaho' are known for having particularly small seeds, offering a smoother eating experience.
Seed removal methods: For baking and preserving, a food mill or fine-mesh sieve is the most effective way to remove seeds for a smooth jam or sauce.
Consumer demand drives innovation: The recent development of truly seedless blackberries was driven by consumer preference and addresses a common complaint about seeds.
Blackberry anatomy: A blackberry is an aggregate fruit made of many drupelets, with each drupelet containing a single seed.

Understanding the Anatomy of a Blackberry

To understand why blackberries have seeds, it helps to know their botanical structure. The fruit isn't a single berry like a grape, but an aggregate of many small, individual fruits called drupelets. Each drupelet contains a single, tiny seed enclosed within a hard endocarp. This structure is what gives a blackberry its bumpy texture.

Historically, the presence of seeds was a given, especially in wild varieties which tend to have a higher seed-to-flesh ratio and larger, more noticeable seeds. Cultivated varieties have long been bred to have smaller seeds and a greater proportion of juicy pulp, but seeds were always part of the package.

The Arrival of the Truly Seedless Blackberry

For years, the idea of a seedless blackberry was a myth. Now, it's a reality, thanks to genetic science. A company called Pairwise has used CRISPR gene-editing technology to develop the world's first seedless caneberry. This breakthrough addresses a major consumer complaint, as many people find the seeds undesirable.

This is not a genetically modified organism (GMO) in the traditional sense, but a product of precise gene editing that simply silences the gene responsible for the formation of the hard seed coat. These varieties are still undergoing field trials but are a glimpse into a future where blackberries can be enjoyed without the crunch. This contrasts with past uses of the term "seedless" for fruits like grapes and watermelon, where the seeds are simply smaller and softer, not truly absent.

Varieties with Less Noticeable Seeds

Even before genetic editing, traditional plant breeding created blackberry varieties with smaller, less obtrusive seeds. These remain popular choices for home gardeners and commercial growers seeking a smoother eating experience.

Popular low-seed varieties

Arapaho: This variety is an erect, thornless plant that ripens early and is known for having some of the smallest seeds of any cultivated blackberry.
Navaho: Another erect, thornless variety, 'Navaho' also boasts smaller seeds compared to many other thornless types and has a sweeter, firmer texture.
Triple Crown: A robust, semi-erect, and thornless option, 'Triple Crown' has larger fruit with a good flesh-to-seed ratio, making the seeds feel less prominent.

Making Your Own Seedless Blackberry Creations

For those who have regular seeded blackberries and want to enjoy them without the crunch, there are several effective methods for seed removal, especially when making spreads, sauces, or desserts.

How to remove seeds for jams, sauces, and purees

Preparation: Wash fresh or thawed frozen blackberries. For best results, crush the berries lightly to release juices.
Cook Down: Heat the berries in a saucepan with a splash of water and mash them thoroughly with a potato masher or wooden spoon.
Strain the Seeds: Press the cooked berry mixture through a fine-mesh sieve, food mill, or strainer into a bowl. A food mill with progressively smaller screens is particularly effective at separating the pulp from the seeds.
Repeat if Necessary: For an absolutely seed-free result, you may pass the puree through the fine sieve again, scraping the bottom of the strainer to get all the fruit pulp.
Use the Puree: The resulting seedless pulp can be used to make delicious jams, jellies, or sauces.

Seed Characteristics: A Comparison


Feature	Wild Blackberries	Traditional Cultivated	Low-Seed Cultivars	CRISPR-Edited Seedless
Seed Presence	Always seeded	Always seeded	Always seeded	Truly seedless
Seed Size	Often large and hard	Varies, but smaller than wild	Specifically bred for smaller seeds	None
Seed Perception	Highly noticeable, can be distracting	Present, but less so than wild varieties	Minimal, much less noticeable	Not present
Availability	Abundant in the wild	Widely available commercially	Available commercially and for gardening	Not yet widely available for consumers
Flavor	Can vary widely (sweet to tart)	Consistently sweet-tart	Consistent, high-quality flavor	Bred for consistency and flavor

Conclusion: The Final Word on Seedy Blackberries

So, are all blackberries seedy? The historic answer was yes, but that is no longer the case. While most blackberries found today still contain seeds, they come in varying sizes depending on the variety. Cultivated berries generally have smaller seeds than their wild counterparts, and specific cultivars like 'Arapaho' and 'Navaho' are bred to minimize seediness. For those with traditional berries, simple kitchen tools like a food mill can easily remove the seeds. The most significant development, however, comes from gene editing, which has now produced the first truly seedless blackberry variety, though it is not yet available to the public. The future of blackberries is looking decidedly less seedy.

Visit NC State University's news page for more on the seedless blackberry breakthrough.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, truly seedless blackberries are a very recent development created through CRISPR gene-editing technology. Historically, all varieties contained seeds, though breeders worked to reduce their size.

The world's first seedless blackberry was developed by Pairwise using CRISPR gene-editing to inactivate the gene responsible for forming the hard seed coat.

They are not yet widely available to the public, as they are still undergoing field trials before commercial release.

The seediness is perceived differently depending on the variety. Cultivated berries often have larger fruit and smaller seeds than wild ones. Some cultivars, like 'Arapaho', have been specifically bred for smaller seeds.

The best method is to cook the berries down and then press them through a food mill or a fine-mesh sieve. This separates the fruit pulp and juice from the seeds and skin.

The developers argue that CRISPR-edited fruits are not GMOs in the traditional sense, as no foreign DNA is introduced. However, the regulatory status can vary.

In 'seedless' grapes and watermelon, the seeds are just soft and underdeveloped. The new seedless blackberry has been edited to not produce a hard seed coat at all, resulting in a truly seed-free fruit.