Driscoll’s Sweetest Batch™ Blackberries Win 2025 Good Housekeeping Snack Award
Driscoll’s, a brand long synonymous with flavor innovation and berry excellence, has once again received high honors—this time for its Sweetest Batch™ Blackberries, which were named a winner in Good Housekeeping’s 2025 Snack Awards. The announcement marks a significant moment not only for Driscoll’s but for the broader produce category, which continues to gain recognition in snack-focused awards traditionally dominated by packaged goods.
A Premium Blackberry Experience, Years in the Making
Sweetest Batch™ Blackberries are the product of years of research, breeding, and testing, carefully developed by Driscoll’s dedicated team of agronomists, breeders, plant health scientists, sensory analysts, and entomologists. Unlike traditional blackberries, which often lean tart or inconsistent in flavor, Sweetest Batch™ Blackberries offer a smooth, velvety texture and a multi-dimensional flavor profile described as lusciously sweet and surprisingly juicy.
These berries are grown from proprietary varieties developed through traditional breeding methods, not genetic modification. Grown exclusively by Driscoll’s network of independent farmers, they require specific and often rare growing conditions, which contributes to their limited seasonal availability and premium appeal.
Sweetest Batch™ Blackberries are designed to completely change how consumers think about blackberries,” said a Driscoll’s representative. “They’re not just an ingredient; they’re a treat in their own right.
From Judges and Testers Alike
Sweetest Batch™ Blackberries earned enthusiastic praise from Good Housekeeping’s expert panel and consumer testers alike. As part of the evaluation process, the Good Housekeeping Institute’s team of registered dietitians and culinary experts conducted a thorough review of hundreds of snack entries, examining ingredient quality, nutrition labels, packaging claims, and flavor profiles.
After this expert screening, over 1,000 consumer testers provided real-world feedback. Their responses to Sweetest Batch™ Blackberries were overwhelmingly positive.
I wasn’t expecting much from these, but was so surprised in the best way. They are unbelievably good!” one tester exclaimed.
Other testers echoed similar praise, calling them:
- “Out-of-this-world delicious”
- “Consistently plump and juicy”
- “Truly next-level berries”
The berries met Good Housekeeping’s criteria not only for taste but also for nutritional balance, including reasonable calorie counts and low sugar and sodium levels—a rare feat for any snack, let alone one from the produce aisle.
Redefining Blackberries Through Innovation
Driscoll’s commitment to flavor innovation is at the core of its mission to offer Only The Finest Berries™. The company was a pioneer in launching a formal blackberry breeding program, recognizing early on that blackberries often suffered from an undeserved reputation as overly tart or inconsistent.
By focusing on flavor-first breeding techniques, Driscoll’s transformed the blackberry from an overlooked fruit into a stand-alone premium snacking option. The Sweetest Batch™ initiative is the result of that effort—a way to showcase berries that deliver bigger, bolder flavors without sacrificing natural quality.
Our R&D team wanted to change the perception that blackberries need sugar to be enjoyable. We believe fruit should stand on its own—naturally sweet, balanced, and enjoyable from the first bite,” said a member of the Driscoll’s development team.
The Sweetest Batch™ Line: A Family of Flavor
Driscoll’s first introduced its Sweetest Batch™ collection in 2019, offering a curated selection of ultra-premium strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and blackberries bred for exceptional sweetness and quality. These varieties use Driscoll’s proprietary genetics, making them a unique offering in the marketplace.
The collection reflects a broader consumer shift toward premium food offerings and elevated snacking experiences. As more shoppers seek naturally flavorful options with clean labels, Sweetest Batch™ berries have carved out a growing niche.
Each berry in the line is distinguished by:
- Uniform shape and color
- Naturally high sugar content
- Smooth, juicy texture
- Flavor consistency across packs
These traits, combined with Driscoll’s rigorous quality control and small-scale growing techniques, help ensure that every bite lives up to the promise of “Only The Finest Berries™.”
Industry Recognition Beyond the Produce Aisle
This isn’t the first time Driscoll’s has been recognized for its innovation. The company previously won a Good Housekeeping Snack Award in 2024, and has also been named a Fast Company Most Innovative Company, among other accolades.
These awards highlight Driscoll’s ability to bridge the gap between agriculture and culinary culture, bringing fresh produce into spaces typically reserved for processed snacks and convenience foods. It’s a shift that aligns with growing consumer trends: shoppers want healthy, indulgent snacks that don’t compromise on taste or nutrition.
About Driscoll’s
Driscoll’s is the global market leader of fresh strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries. With more than 100 years of farming heritage, Driscoll’s is a pioneer of berry flavor innovation and the trusted consumer brand of Only the Finest Berries™. With more than 900 independent growers around the world, Driscoll’s develops exclusive patented berry varieties using only traditional breeding methods that focus on growing great-tasting berries.
A dedicated team of agronomists, breeders, sensory analysts, plant pathologists, and entomologists help grow baby seedlings that are then grown on local family farms. Driscoll’s berries are grown in more than 20 countries and are available for consumers in more than 40 countries across North America, Australia, Europe, and China.
