When Are Raspberries Ripe?

Color

• Ripe raspberries have a full and uniform color. Raspberries come in many colors, including red, black, purple and yellow. Red raspberries typically ripen first, then the black varieties, followed by purple and yellow. When checking your raspberry bushes for ripeness, inspect the fruit carefully to see that the entire berry is the same color -- because this is the best and easiest indication of ripeness.

Size and Texture

• Ripe raspberries reach their full size and look plump and shiny. Keep in mind that raspberries may have achieved a uniform color before they fully ripen, so it's important to check the plants for a while to see if they continue to plump up.

Taste

• Also, taste test a few raspberries you suspect are ripe to see if you are correct. Find berries that are plump, bright and uniform in color. If they easily come off the stem, that's another sign they are ready for harvest. Then taste a few to see if they've reached their peak flavor. Remember that some varieties of raspberries have a tart taste, so just because they are not sweet does not mean they are not ripe.

Harvest and Storage

• Raspberries and other small fruits are fragile, so you must handle them carefully during harvest. Once picked, place raspberries in a shallow container and refrigerate or freeze immediately, the University of Maine advises. Ideally, refrigerated fruit should be brought to a temperature of 33 degrees F as quickly as possible. The berries will keep for three to seven days if properly stored. Because of their short shelf life, it's best to harvest fruit from the bushes every two to three days to keep a steady supply.