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Raspberries

Raspberries are the third most popular berries in the United States, ranking behind strawberries and blueberries. The taste of the raspberry depends on its ripeness. The riper the raspberry is, the sweeter the berry becomes. This is one of the reasons why raspberries are so popular, its versatility in taste. When they are ripe, raspberries are described as having a melt in your mouth texture.

  • Kingdom: Plantae
  • Order: Rosales
  • Family: Rosaceae
  • Genus: Rubus
  • Species: R. strigosus
  • Binomial name: Rubus strigosuss

Raspberry Trivia

  • Raspberries come in many different colors, yellow, red, purple, gold, and even black.
  • Blue raspberries don’t really exist, they get their flavor from the black raspberry and then Brilliant Blue FCF food coloring is added.
  • On a per calorie basis, raspberries contain the most fiber of all the fruits
  • In Old English, raspberry is translated into “Rough Berry”

Raspberry Buying Guide

Raspberries are usually packed in opaque boxes or in clamshell boxes that make it hard for you to examine the fruits carefully. A common strategy that is used by unscrupulous retailers is to put the perfect specimens in areas where they can be easily examined while hiding damaged or fruit of low quality in the middle.

This to look out for when purchasing raspberries:

  • Moisture on the surface of the berries
  • Staining anywhere in the box
  • Withered berries
  • Crushed berries
  • Berries that aren’t all similar in color

If you see any of the things listed above, avoid that package and move on to the next.

Raspberries should all have a uniform color. They should also be dry, plump, and firm to the touch.

Raspberry Production & Farming in Texas

Commercial raspberry production isn’t present in Texas. They’re also not well-adapted to the overall Texas climate. While it may be possible to grow Raspberries in certain areas of Texas, it is generally not recommended and may require a tremendous amount of effort to fruit properly. That being said, there are still a few adventurous operators and farmers that produce raspberries, albeit on a very small scale.

Pesticides:

When it comes to raspberries, it would be a great idea to go organic. The reason for this is that raspberries are considered one of the top fruits in America that is “Dirty”. Tests on raspberries have shown a total of 39 different pesticide residues detected in over 58% of the raspberries tested.

Geography:

Raspberries thrive in USDA hardiness zones 4 to 8. Some variants can grow in zone 9 but may produce limited fruits. Raspberries prefer full sun to produce the maximum number of fruits, but they can also be grown in partially shaded spots. The soil should be well-drained, have good air circulation, and the area should have shelter from the wind. A trellis near your raspberry plants would be optimal so they can support themselves as they are growing.

Packaging:

Raspberries meant for table/fruit consumption are often picked by hand to prevent bruising and damage. After picking, they are usually packed in opaque or plastic clamshell boxes to protect the berries from bruising or crush damage. They are then immediately stored in a refrigerated environment to be able to survive the journey to the supermarket shelves.

Enjoying Raspberries

Raspberries require no special preparation methods before eating, just wash them and then pop them in your mouth!

Storage:

Raspberries are best consumed immediately after they are purchased. They are very perishable fruits and they can only last up to three days even when refrigerated.

Tip: If you’re refrigerating raspberries, be sure to take out any and all bruised or rotten berries to prevent the rest from spoiling faster. Also, do not wash the berries until ready to consume.

To freeze raspberries, give them a good wash and allow them to drain for a few minutes. Pat them dry with a paper towel and then lay them out in a single layer to pre-freeze them. Once they are individually frozen, you can then transfer them to a freezer bag or any other freezer-safe container.

Cooking:

Raspberries are super versatile. Fresh raspberries can be used as toppings for salads, ice cream, yoghurt, and other cold desserts. They can also be made into smoothies by themselves or in combination with other fruits. Raspberries can also be used in baked goodies like muffins, bread, pies, and tarts. For an added twist to pancakes and waffles, you can also use raspberries to make a sweet and tart sauce to go with them.

Nutrition:

  • Carbs
    • Raspberries are considered one of the best low-carb fruits for people with diabetes or for people who are following a low-carb diet.
    • Raspberries also have a very low glycemic load which means that your blood sugar levels won’t spike up when you eat this fruit.
  • Fiber
    • By weight, raspberries contain the most fiber when compared with any fruit.
    • One 100g serving of raspberries provides over a quarter of the RDI for fiber.
      • Fiber is filling, this helps keep you full and prevents you from overeating.
      • The fiber in raspberries also helps regulate bowel movement and protects against colon cancer.
    • Vitamins and minerals:
      • Raspberries contain anthocyanins that may fend off cardiovascular disease and certain types of cancers.
      • One serving of raspberries provides 50% of the RDI for Vitamin C, which is an essential antioxidant in the fight against free radicals and oxidative stress.
        • Vitamin C also promotes cell regeneration and healing.

When Are Raspberries in Season in Texas?

To find out when Raspberries are in season in Texas, please check the seasonal chart below. Why is this important? We are rarely encouraged to think about the physical lengths our food travels before arriving on the market shelves. And all of this travel comes with a hefty environmental cost that is concealed from the consumer’s eye. One of the most salient benefits to eating seasonally is that you are effectively reducing your carbon footprint and supporting a more geographically sustainable food economy. Check other fruit and veg that’s in season in Texas now.

Nutrition

DV%

  • Serving Size: 1 Serving
  • Calories: 64 3%
  • Carbs: 14.7g 5%
  • Sugar: 5.4g
  • Fiber: 8g 32%
  • Protein: 1.5g 3%
  • Fat: 0.8g 1%
  • Saturated Fat: 0g 0%
  • Trans Fat 0g 0%
  • Cholesterol 0mg 0%
  • Sodium 1.2mg 0%
  • Vitamin C 32.2mg 54%
  • Vitamin A 40.6IU 1%
  • Calcium 30.7mg 3%
  • Iron 0.8mg 5%
  • Potassium 186mg 5%
  • Vitamin E 1.1mg 5%
  • Vitamin K 9.6mcg 12%
  • Vitamin B6 0.1mg 3%
  • Folate 25.8mcg 6%
  • Magnesium 27.1mg 7%
  • Phosphorus 35.7mg 4%
  • Manganese 0.8mg 41%
  • Copper 0.1mg 6%
  • Zinc 0.5mg 3%

Seasonality

When are Raspberries in season in Texas?

  • Jan
  • Feb
  • Mar
  • Apr
  • May
  • Jun
  • Jul
  • Aug
  • Sep
  • Oct
  • Nov
  • Dec

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Tasty Recipes Using Raspberries

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