"Fruity" thoughts
Raspberries
History
Raspberries are thought to be native to Asia and have been eaten since prehistoric times. They were cultivated by the Romans, but only gained widespread popularity after they were hybridized and improved by growers in England and France during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.
Interesting facts about them
Although rarely seen in the UK, yellow, orange and purple raspberries are grown in some parts of world.
Season and how they are grown
End June until August.
Has also begun early this year, with outside grown available, Gill from 1click2cook.com suugest you buy locally from Taywell Farm or The Hops Shop.
When talk about ‘seasons’ with chemicals and poloytunnels and production worldwide, available all year, but of course natural British are best!!
What to look for when you buy
Huge production in Scotland
Indoor grown often recognizable because they are big and plump…but this can also be because they have been pumped with fertilizer and water
Outdoor grown are smaller and slightly more tart, but this is also their natural state.
Raspberries should be plump and dry, with a good shape and uniform colour. Avoid berries with their hulls intact as they are not ripe.
Raspberries which have been picked do not store well at all - they will only last a day or so. They are also easily damaged during picking and in storage. The best solution is to pick them on the day they are required and do not let them be crushed by their own weight. They will be under-ripe and tart.
Storing
PREPARING
Raspberries are prone to becoming damaged and mis-shapen if wet. If you're going to be serving raspberries whole your best bet is to not wash them.
Due to their hollow core raspberries are fragile and so should be handled with care. They are also highly perishable; remove any mushy raspberries before refrigerating and eat within a day or two. They do freeze very well: spread a single layer on a tray and freeze until solid before transferring to single portion freezer bags to be enjoyed over the winter.
Gill Levett from 1click2cook.com suggests…Why eat raspberries?
Health, Nutrition & Calories
Raspberries are high in fibre, iron, potassium and vitamins A and C. They also contain phytochemicals including beta-carotene (helps fight against heart disease) and ellagic acid (linked with reducing the risk of cancer).
Eat with what?
Raspberries never fail to please when served with just a dusting of icing sugar and a lick of cream. A fresh raspberry sauce, made by pushing raspberries through a sieve and stirring in some sifted icing sugar, makes a wonderful addition to vanilla ice cream, apple juice, champagne, yoghurt, strawberries, cocktails, chocolate mousse, Panacotta
Unusual recipes / ideas
Hot whisky pancakes with raspberries
Grilled peaches hot raspberries and ice cream
To heat raspberries…..Honey and raspberries in a heatproof container under the grill, to blend the flavours….
When and How To Plant Raspberries
October is the best month to plant raspberries, although planting can be done any time up to March if the weather and soil conditions are correct.
Most soils are suitable for raspberries. The fruit does not all ripen at the same time, so harvesting can take place over several weeks.
