Tayberry is a cultivated shrub in the genus Rubus

Rubus

Rubus is a large genus of flowering plants in the rose family, Rosaceae, subfamily Rosoideae. Raspberries, blackberries, and dewberries are common, widely distributed members of the genus. Most of these plants have woody stems with prickles like roses; spines, bristles, and gland-tipped hairs are...

of the family Rosaceae

Rosaceae

Rosaceae are a medium-sized family of flowering plants, including about 2830 species in 95 genera. The name is derived from the type genus Rosa. Among the largest genera are Alchemilla , Sorbus , Crataegus , Cotoneaster , and Rubus...

 patented in 1979 as a cross between a blackberry

Blackberry

The blackberry is an edible fruit produced by any of several species in the Rubus genus of the Rosaceae family. The fruit is not a true berry; botanically it is termed an aggregate fruit, composed of small drupelets. The plants typically have biennial canes and perennial roots. Blackberries and...

 and a red raspberry

Raspberry

The raspberry or hindberry is the edible fruit of a multitude of plant species in the genus Rubus, most of which are in the subgenus Idaeobatus; the name also applies to these plants themselves...

, and named after the river Tay

River Tay

The River Tay is the longest river in Scotland and the seventh-longest in the United Kingdom. The Tay originates in western Scotland on the slopes of Ben Lui , then flows easterly across the Highlands, through Loch Dochhart, Loch Lubhair and Loch Tay, then continues east through Strathtay , in...

 in Scotland. The fruit is sweeter, much larger, and more aromatic than that of the loganberry

Loganberry

The loganberry is an hexaploid hybrid produced from crossing an octaploid blackberry and a diploid red raspberry. The plant and the fruit resemble the blackberry more than the raspberry, but the fruit colour is a dark red, rather than black...

, itself a blackberry and red raspberry cross. The tayberry is grown for its edible fruits which can be eaten raw or cooked, but the fruit do not pick easily by hand and cannot be machine harvested, so they have not become a commercially grown berry crop.

History

The tayberry was patented by Derek L. Jennings of Dundee, Scotland, and released in 1979 by the Scottish Horticultural Research Institute, Invergowrie, Scotland. The tayberry was named after the river Tay

River Tay

The River Tay is the longest river in Scotland and the seventh-longest in the United Kingdom. The Tay originates in western Scotland on the slopes of Ben Lui , then flows easterly across the Highlands, through Loch Dochhart, Loch Lubhair and Loch Tay, then continues east through Strathtay , in...

 in Scotland.

Description

The tayberry fruit are cone shaped and are a reddish-purple color when ripe. They can be up to 1-1/2 inches long. Similar to the blackberry, the core remains in the berry when it is picked. The tayberry is less acidic than the loganberry, with a strong, tart flavor. The plant has a growth habit similar to that of the blackberry. Fruit grow on short laterals on prickly canes 6-7 feet long. The cropping period is long, from early mid to late summer.

Nutrient	Amount per 100g	% USRDA Dietary Reference Intake The Dietary Reference Intake is a system of nutrition recommendations from the Institute of Medicine of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences. The DRI system is used by both the United States and Canada and is intended for the general public and health professionals...
Calories	25	1.3 (for 2000 cal/day)
Protein	1.2g	2.4
Lipid	0.65g	1.2
Carbohydrate	11.94g	9.2
Ash	.46g
Table Sugar	.2g
Glucose	1.86g
Fructose	2.35g
Water	85.75g	2.7
Sugar	4.42g
Dietary Fiber	6.5g	20.3
Calcium	2.5E-14g	< 1
Iron	6.9E-16g	< 1
Magnesium	2.2E-14g	< 1
Phosphorus	2.9E-14g	<1
Potassium	1.51E-13g	<1
Sodium	0g	0
Zinc	4.2E-16g	<1
Copper	0g	0
Manganese	6.7E-16g	<1
Selenium	0g	0
Vitamin A	33IU	0.7
Retinol Activity Equivalents	0g	0
Beta-carotene	1.2E-29g
Alpha-carotene	1.6E-29g
Alpha-Tocopherol	8.7E-16g
Lutien & zeaxanthin	1.36E-28g
Beta-tocopherol	0g	0
Gamma-tocopherol	1.42E-15g
Delta-tocopherol	1.04E-15g
Vitamin C, B-Vitamins,	Niacin, Thiamine and Folate	<1

Growth habits

The tayberry will grow reasonably well in many soils. Tayberries produce the most berries when in full sun and in well drained soil with a high amount of organic materials.
Supporting the canes is not crucial, but it will help prevent diseases by improving the air flow between branches. Tayberries should be ready to harvest in early July, depending on the type. Frost is rarely a problem, as tayberries flower late in the season; plants need protection below -15 degrees Fahrenheit. Like many plant hybrids, tayberries show good disease resistance, and it has been shown to be resistant to late yellow rust.

Tayberries are propagated by planting canes; the recommended time is mid-October, though any time up to mid-March may work if soil is not frozen or waterlogged. Scientists have also demonstrated the successful cold storage of tayberry tissue cultures for maintenance of in vitro collections of plant tissues.

Nutritional content

Like many other berries, the tayberry is low in calories, high in fibre, and like other bramble fruits they contain antioxidants. The nutritional content of tayberries is summarized in the table at right.

Uses

The tayberry can be eaten fresh or used for making jams, pies, or wine.

While it has been reported that a commercial yield up to 12 tons per acre of berries can be produced, tayberries are very soft when fully ripe, so they cannot be harvested by machine. This has hindered their success as a commercial crop. Tayberries are mainly grown by artisans and backyard growers.