Raspberry

Raspberry is a small, sweet fruit with a tart undertone. Their cheerful pop of color and delicious flavor can make any ordinary meal feel special. And, each delicate raspberry is packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber.

A raspberry is an aggregate fruit, developing from the numerous distinct carpels of a single flower. What distinguishes the raspberry from its blackberry relatives is whether or not the torus (receptacle or stem) “picks with” (i.e., stays with) the fruit.

When picking a blackberry fruit, the torus stays with the fruit. With a raspberry, the torus remains on the plant, leaving a hollow core in the raspberry fruit.

Raspberries are grown for the fresh fruit market and for commercial processing into individually quick frozen (IQF) fruit, purée, juice, or as dried fruit used in a variety of grocery products such as raspberry pie. Raspberries need ample sun and water for optimal development.

Raspberries thrive in well-drained soil with a pH between 6 and 7 with ample organic matter to assist in retaining water.

While moisture is essential, wet and heavy soils or excess irrigation can bring on Phytophthora root rot, which is one of the most serious pest problems facing the red raspberry. As a cultivated plant in moist, temperate regions, it is easy to grow and has a tendency to spread unless pruned. Escaped raspberries frequently appear as garden weeds, spread by seeds found in bird droppings.

Varieties in Raspberries

Raspberries can be found in four different colors: red, black, purple, and gold. Red raspberries are the most common type found at the grocery store. Fresh raspberries are generally available from June to October, but frozen raspberries are available year-round and contain the same amount of vitamins and minerals.

Nutrients

Raspberries pack a lot of nutrition into a small space. They provide potassium, omega-3 fatty acids and they also contain a mineral called manganese.

Raspberry is low in calories but high in fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Raspberries are easy to add to your diet and make a tasty addition to breakfast, lunch, dinner or dessert.