RASPBERRY
Raspberries are full of antioxidants, which makes them full of potential for medicinal and supplemental uses! They are starting to be used in experimental weight loss, as well as in experimental cancer treatments. This berry is a jack of all trades, and is a great addition to a healthy diet. Raspberries range in taste from sweet to tart, and come in a variety of shades that make them delectable for any meal or snack.
1. Health Benefits of Raspberries
Raspberries aren't just delicious but are a nutritional powerhouse as well. Their copious natural dyes mean raspberries are packed with antioxidants, which help protect our body's cells, as well as immune-boosting vitamin C and valuable fiber. Read up below on all the benefits of this tiny but mighty summer berry.
2. Disadvantages of Raspberries
1. Raspberries can cause allergic reactions!
What are allergies?
Allergies are a condition where the bodies immune system reacts to a foreign substance.
What is the allergen responsible for raspberry allergies?
Typically, the allergen responsible for raspberry reactions are salicylates and proteins Rub i 1 and Rub i 3.
Salicylates are chemicals naturally found in raspberries. Salicylates are derivatives of salicylic acid which is an important component of aspirin. People who have salicylate sensitivities typically are also sensitive to aspirin. It occurs as either a food or medicinal intolerance. Fruits that are high in salicylic acid include raspberries, apricots, blackberries, dates, guava and cantaloupe.
Proteins Rub i 1 and Rub i 3 are found in relatives of the rose family. Raspberries can be highly allergic because they contain these high molecular weight proteins. High molecular weight proteins are circulating plasma proteins that contribute to the initiation of blood coagulation. They can cause allergy sensitivities in people, whether it be from the rose family or the wheat family. People can react to different varieties and levels of high molecular weight proteins in a variety of ways.
People who have a raspberry reaction may have cross allergen reactions to other fruits, including strawberries, blueberries, currants, peaches, apricots, nectarines, plums, apples and pears.
Are there allergen free raspberries?
As far as we know, they haven’t bred raspberries that are completely free of allergens.
EAT SMARTER TAKE AWAY: Raspberries, like any other food, can contain allergens that can cause discomfort and illness. If you have an allergic reaction to raspberries seek medical attention immediately.
3. Top 100 Raspberries Recipes
4. Raspberry Recipes in Video
Raspberries are incredibly nutritious and are great eaten alone or as an addition to smoothies and baked goods. They give food a vibrant color and a boost of antioxidants. They are delicious picked off the vine, or preserved for months as jam. Try some of these raspberry recipes to add some healthy, natural sweetness into your life!
5. About Raspberries
What are raspberries?
These edible berries are related to roses and there are numerous species! The most well known raspberries are from the Rubus genus, and are typically from the subgenus Idaeobatus, which are the typical red raspberries that are found in markets. They are perennials, meaning they live more than two years, and have woody stems which distinguishes them from other fruits and vegetables. Wood stemmed plants have wood as their structural tissue, like trees, bushes and lianas.
What kinds of raspberries can you buy?
There are a huge amount of raspberry cultivars! A cultivar is a plant that has been produced by selective breeding. The most well known raspberry is the red cultivar, which has been bred into many different types of hybrids. Some botanists believe that red raspberries are their own species, but it hasn’t been decided if they should be classified on their own.
Red Raspberry Some of the variants include: European red raspberry Asian raspberry American red raspberry Arctic raspberry West Indian raspberry |
Red raspberries are the most popular type of raspberry, and are what people commonly think of with the mention of raspberry. They are thought to be the original parent of the species. They have been hybridized to create other red variants, and also other berries, including the loganberry and the boysenberry. |
White Raspberry Some of the variants include: Western raspberry Yellow Himalayan raspberry Valentina raspberry |
The white raspberry, also known as yellow or golden, are variants of the red and black raspberries. They have a similar appearance and flavor to red or black raspberries, but contain recessive genes that don’t allow them to produce the anthocyanin pigments which are responsible for the distinct coloring. They can be white, yellow, golden or even orange. |
Black Raspberry Some of the variants include: Allen raspberry Black hawk raspberry Bristol raspberry |
The black raspberry is the other common type of raspberry, and it can easily be mistaken for blackberries. It is the other raspberry that is commonly found growing wild. |
Purple Raspberry Some of the variants include: Brandywine raspberry Glencoe raspberry Royalty raspberry |
Purple raspberries are the result of selective breeding. They are the combination of the red and black raspberry. They are also found in the wild, especially in North Eastern states like Vermont. They are not commonly sold commercially. |
6. Rapberries vs. Blackberries
Both raspberries and blackberries are healthy for you in their own right, but raspberries most likely have blackberries beat because of their high antioxidant content. These berries are usually paired together and are chock full of Vitamin C. Blackberries are also high in antioxidants- but the anthocyanin content of raspberries blows them out of the park. Raspberries are slightly higher in calories and fiber than blackberries as well.
7. History of Raspberries
A berry unique in its antioxidant content
An important ancient fruit crop, widely grown throughout the world.
Origins of the Raspberry
Raspberries, members of the rose family, include two major types. There is a red raspberry, which we are more familiar with, and the black raspberry. Raspberries are believed to have originated in Eastern Asia or the Mediterranean (including Turkey), however the exact whereabouts are uncertain. Today, there are over 200 varieties of raspberry. It is shown that raspberries have been prominent in the human diet since prehistoric time! Our paleolithic ancestors ate raspberries, largely due to their unique ability to grow in nearly any climate. Raspberries can be grown in climates as cold as the Arctic circle, and as warm as the tropics! Raspberries have also been used for medicinal purposes, especially by Native American tribes.
4th Century AD - According to the Roman agricultural author Rutilius Taurus Aemilianus Palladius, raspberries were first cultivated in 4th century AD on Roman farms.
Hellenistic Period - In Greek mythology, raspberries are associated with fertility. There is a Greek myth that raspberries were once completely white, until Ida, the nursemaid of Zeus, accidentally pricked her finger on a raspberry thorn and the berries were permanently stained red. Thus, the berries name, Rubus idaeus, which means “bramble bush of Ida”.
13th Century - English King Edward I is known for beginning the cultivation of raspberries in England.
1737 - William Prince cultivated the first known raspberries in the American colonies in Flushing, New York.
1771 - William Prince sold the first cultivated raspberries in the United States, in the state of Virginia.
1732 - 1799 - President George Washington cultivated raspberries at Mount Vernon during the civil war.
1921 - Luther Burbank, the most well known raspberry and blackberry horticulturist, wrote his classic 8 volume books on Small Fruits and Fruit Improvement.
Raspberry Production
Raspberries prefer growing in a cooler climate, but can grow nearly anywhere, including tropical regions! They can be grown as far as the arctic circle.
In the United States, Washington is the leading raspberry producer. Washington typically produces 70 million tons of raspberries per year. California and Oregon are the other leading producers.
As of 2013, the United States has become the world’s third largest raspberry producer. California and Washington are competing for the top state in raspberry production. According to the 2012 Census of Agriculture, the United States has 8,052 raspberry farms, which totals 23,104 acres. That’s the equivalent of over 17,503 football fields!
The United States is also a leading exporter of raspberries, exporting 56.7 million pounds of raspberries in 2014.
8. Q&A About Raspberries
How do you pronounce raspberry?
Rasp - ber - i.
What do raspberries taste like?
Raspberries can be sweet or tart, depending on the type of raspberry and when it is picked.
What are raspberries related to?
Raspberries are in the rose family, and are related to roses and strawberries.
How many raspberries are produced in the world?
Over 550,000 tons of raspberries are produced per year for commercial use! Thats over 2,750 blue whales, which are the largest animal in the world!
How long does it take raspberries to grow?
Raspberries are typically ready for harvest within 4 to 6 weeks of their growing season, however, this varies depending on the variety.
9. Nutritional Information
This is the nutritional information for 1 cup (123 g) of raspberries!
Calories 64 |
Calories from Fat 0 |
Total Fat 0.8g |
1% |
Saturated Fat 0g |
0% |
Polyunsaturated fat 0.5g |
|
Monounsaturated fat 0.1g |
|
Cholesterol 0mg |
0 % |
Sodium 1.2mg |
0% |
Potassium 186mg |
5% |
Total Carbohydrate 14.7g |
5% |
Dietary Fiber 8.0g |
32% |
Sugar 5.4g |
|
Protein 1.5g |
3% |
Vitamin K 12% |
Vitamin C 54% |
Magnesium 7% |
Iron 5% |
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