Facts on Raspberries

Varieties

• Raspberries can be red, yellow or black. Summer-bearing reds include: Boyne, which are very hardy in winter and resistant to disease; Titan produces large fruit, but is susceptible to disease; and Liberty, which is good for dessert and freezes well. A standout yellow raspberry is Fallgold, which is extremely hardy and produces soft and super-sweet fruit. Brandywine is a variety of purple raspberry that yields large, firm and tart berries that grow on aggressive, thorny canes but are not very hardy. Brandywine raspberries make good jellies and jams.

Plant Care

• Plant raspberries in the early spring in a sunny spot. Raspberries grow well when planted on hills, as hedgerows or on a trellis. Plant in well-drained, loamy soil known to hold water well. Drip irrigation is best to avoid excessive wetting of foliage. Raspberry plants require good air circulation, but do not do well in excessive amounts of wind.

Preparation

• Raspberries are popular because of their intense flavor, versatility and nutritional benefits. The fruit can be eaten as is or made into various condiments, toppings, jams or fruit fillings. Their fruit is extremely fragile and need to be handled with care to avoid bruising, which will deteriorate its quality. Prepare a coulis or sauce by crushing raspberries through a sieve to eliminate seeds. Add sugar to the liquid and use as a delicious addition to ice cream, puddings, sorbets or cakes. Adding sugar, lemon or orange juice helps to preserve the fruit's bright color.

Nutritional Assets

• Raspberries are high in vitamin C, contain soluble fiber, which may lower your high blood cholesterol level, and an anti-cancer agent called ellagic acid. Get your daily dose of 20 to 30 grams of fiber by eating one-half to a pound of raspberries. Raspberries are used in alternative medicine, especially as a tea that is a dietary aid for pregnant women; the tea is reported to alleviate morning sickness, decrease the occurrence of miscarriages and increase breast milk after the baby is born.