What is the difference between raspberry and blackberry?

November 19, 2025 •

3 min read

Botanically, both raspberries and blackberries are aggregate fruits belonging to the same genus, but a simple picking test reveals their most distinct difference. So, what is the difference between raspberry and blackberry beyond their color? It comes down to their core, texture, and flavor profile.

Quick Summary

This guide details the core, texture, and flavor distinctions between raspberries and blackberries. It also covers their nutritional profiles, botanical classifications, and ideal culinary applications.

Key Points

Hollow Core vs. Solid Core: Raspberries have a hollow core when picked, while blackberries have a solid center because the receptacle stays with the fruit.
Flavor Profile: Raspberries offer a tangy-sweet and sometimes tart flavor, while blackberries are sweeter with a deeper, earthy undertone.
Texture Differences: Raspberries are softer and more delicate, while blackberries are firmer with larger, sometimes crunchier, seeds.
Appearance: Raspberries have a matte or velvety surface and come in various colors, while blackberries are glossier and dark purple-black.
Nutritional Content: Raspberries are slightly higher in fiber and vitamin C, but blackberries provide more vitamins A, E, and K, along with a higher antioxidant count.

Core Difference: The Simplest Test

To identify a raspberry versus a blackberry with absolute certainty, simply look at the center of the fruit after picking.

Raspberries Leave a Hollow Core

When a raspberry is harvested, the central core, or receptacle, remains on the plant. This leaves a hollow space in the center of the fruit, giving it a thimble-like shape. This fragility also makes raspberries more perishable than blackberries.

Blackberries Retain Their Core

Conversely, a blackberry retains its central core when picked, resulting in a solid, sturdy center. This structural difference makes blackberries firmer and less delicate than their raspberry counterparts.

Appearance and Texture Distinctions

Beyond the core, several visual and textural cues can help distinguish the berries.

Surface: Raspberry drupelets (the small bumps making up the fruit) are smaller, softer, and have a more velvety or matte finish. Blackberries are larger, plumper, and have a glossier, shinier appearance.
Color Range: While both have black varieties, raspberries come in a wider spectrum of colors, including red, purple, and gold. Ripe blackberries are almost always a deep, dark purple-black.
Thorns: While not a consistent indicator due to thornless cultivars, blackberry canes often feature larger, stouter thorns compared to the smaller ones typically found on raspberry canes.

Flavor Profile

Taste is another key differentiator, influencing how each berry is used in the kitchen.

Raspberry Flavor: Raspberries are known for their bright, tangy, and sometimes subtly sweet flavor profile. This tartness is especially pronounced in red raspberries, making them a popular choice for balancing rich, sweet desserts.
Blackberry Flavor: Blackberries offer a deeper, richer sweetness with earthy undertones. They tend to have a higher acidity and a bolder, sometimes slightly bitter, flavor, particularly if not fully ripe.

Growth Habits and Cultivation

For home gardeners, knowing the growth habits of each plant is crucial for successful cultivation.

Raspberry Canes: Raspberries produce new canes from their root system, allowing them to spread and form thick patches. Red raspberries are generally more cold-hardy. There are also two main types: summer-bearing (fruiting on second-year canes) and everbearing (fruiting on both first- and second-year canes).
Blackberry Canes: Blackberries produce new canes primarily from the plant's crown, rather than the roots. They are generally more tolerant of heat and drought than raspberries and require more support or trellising for their sprawling growth. It is important to keep older blackberry and raspberry plantings separate due to the risk of spreading viruses.

Comparison Table


Feature	Raspberry	Blackberry
Core	Hollow; detaches from the plant's core	Solid; core remains attached to the fruit
Appearance	Smaller, delicate, matte or velvety finish, many colors (red, black, gold)	Larger, plump, glossy finish, deep dark purple-black
Flavor	Bright, tangy-sweet with a delicate tartness	Richer, deeper sweetness with earthy undertones and higher acidity
Texture	Softer, more delicate	Firmer, more robust
Seeds	Smaller and less noticeable	Larger and sometimes more prominent
Growing Habit	Can spread via roots, more cold-hardy	Canes grow from crown, more heat and drought tolerant

Nutritional Differences

While both berries are nutritional powerhouses rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and fiber, they have slightly different compositions.

Fiber: Raspberries have a slight edge in dietary fiber, with approximately 8 grams per cup compared to blackberries' 7.6 grams.
Vitamins: Raspberries contain more vitamin C and folate, while blackberries offer higher amounts of vitamins A, E, and K.
Antioxidants: Blackberries often contain higher levels of antioxidants, particularly anthocyanins, which contribute to their dark color.

Conclusion

Understanding what is the difference between raspberry and blackberry comes down to key physical characteristics, flavor profiles, and growing habits. The most straightforward identifier is the hollow core of a picked raspberry versus the solid center of a blackberry. While both are highly nutritious and versatile aggregate fruits, raspberries offer a brighter, tangier flavor, while blackberries provide a deeper, earthier sweetness. Whether you prefer the delicate texture and tart zing of raspberries or the robust, juicy bite of blackberries, both make excellent additions to your diet or garden.

Authoritative Link

For further details on cultivating these berries, consult this resource from the Virginia Cooperative Extension for sound horticultural advice: Growing Blackberries & Raspberries.

This article was created with information gathered from reliable sources to provide an accurate comparison.

Frequently Asked Questions

The easiest way to differentiate them is to look at the core after picking. A raspberry will leave its core on the plant, leaving a hollow center in the fruit, whereas a blackberry's core stays with the fruit, giving it a solid center.

Yes, they can be grown together, but it is recommended to keep them separate to prevent the spread of certain viruses. The spacing and individual care requirements for pruning also need to be considered.

Both are highly nutritious, but their specific strengths differ slightly. Raspberries have more fiber and vitamin C, while blackberries have more vitamins A, E, and K, as well as a higher antioxidant count.

Raspberries, with their tangy-sweet flavor, are great for jams, sauces, and desserts where a bright, tart note is desired. Blackberries, with their deeper, sweeter, and earthier flavor, are better for pies, cobblers, and savory applications.

Raspberries come in a wider range of colors, including red, black, purple, and gold. Ripe blackberries are typically a deep purple-black color.

Raspberries are more fragile due to their hollow core and delicate structure. This makes them more susceptible to damage during transport and gives them a shorter shelf life, which increases costs.

No. While both are perennial plants with biennial canes, blackberries produce new canes from the crown, while raspberries can also spread via their root system. Some raspberry varieties also produce two crops per season (everbearing).