Raspberries

Intensely flavored and highly fragrant, raspberries are members of the rose family. Each berry is composed of many connecting drupelets (individual sections of fruit, each with its own seed) surrounding a central core.

Varieties

The three main types of raspberries are red, black, and yellow. Other varieties may be colored apricot, amber, and purple.

Red raspberries are the most widely available. They are moderately tart and well suited for exquisite desserts, as well as for jams and jellies, and they keep well when frozen.

Black raspberries are sometimes known as “black caps,” and they are especially popular in jams and ice cream. The fruit is blue-black, round, and small, with a faint whitish bloom on the exterior of the berry. Their flavor is moderately tart. Like red raspberries, these have drupelets arranged around a hollow core; however, the black ones are seedier.

Yellow varieties, considered a variant of red raspberries, are called “white raspberries.” This variety is rarely available commercially because it is very soft.

Purple raspberries are considered a hybrid between the red and black varieties, and are a little more tart than the other colors.

Buying and storing tips

Fresh raspberries are highly perishable. Use them as soon as possible after purchasing to ensure the best flavor, appearance, and nutrient content. If you do not plan to use the berries immediately, remove them from containers, arrange them in a single layer in a moistureproof container, cover loosely, and refrigerate; use within 1 to 2 days.

Wash berries quickly in cold water just before using—do not soak them. Drain well and air dry, or softly pat them dry with a paper towel before using. Be sure to handle raspberries very gently since they are extremely fragile.

Raspberries do not ripen further after picking. So, for best quality, select fully ripe berries that are aromatic, firm, plump, brightly colored, and with no cores. If the cores are still attached, the berries were picked too early and will likely be too tart. Stained or leaking containers indicate raspberries that are overripe. Avoid soft, shriveled, or moldy berries.

Availability

Depending on the region, raspberries are available from May through November. Imported raspberries from countries such as Chile and New Zealand are available in some food markets year-round.

Preparation, uses, and tips

Raspberries are very versatile. They are delicious eaten out of hand, combine well with other fruits, and can be enjoyed in baked goods, salads, or as an elegant garnish.

For a special salad dressing, raspberries can be blended with oil and vinegar to make a pleasing vinaigrette.

Raspberries are very popular in jams; seedless raspberry jam is available, too.

Raspberries of any color can be used interchangeably in recipes. Raspberries are a good substitute for strawberries in most cases, too. When freezing raspberries, select fully ripe, firm, well-colored berries. To freeze, place berries in a single layer on a cookie tray; once they’re frozen, store them in a sealable plastic bag in the freezer. Frozen raspberries can be used as “ice cubes” to chill lemonade or iced tea on a hot summer day.

In general, raspberries do not dry well because of their high seed content and slow drying rate.

Nutritional Highlights

Raspberries (raw), 1 cup (123g)
Calories: 60
Protein: 1g
Carbohydrate: 14g
Total Fat: 0.7g
Fiber: 8.3g

*Foods that are an “excellent source” of a particular nutrient provide 20% or more of the Recommended Daily Value, based upon United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) guidelines. Foods that are a “good source” of a particular nutrient provide between 10 and 20% of the USDA Recommended Daily Value. Nutritional information and daily nutritional guidelines may vary in different countries. Please consult the appropriate organization in your country for specific nutritional values and the recommended daily guidelines.

Health benefits and concerns

Health benefits and concerns for berries
Many health benefits and concerns associated with this food are applicable to other berries. Read about health benefits and concerns for berries for a full description.

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The information presented in Foodnotes is for informational purposes only and was created by a team of U.S. registered dietitians and food experts. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements, making dietary changes, or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires December 2003.