June 8 is National Raspberry Day on the National Day Calendar to celebrate the summertime fruit known as the raspberry. This delicious food holiday adds a sweet addition to our menu and taste buds.
Raspberries are one of the most popular berries available for consumption. Their rich beautiful color entice us indulge in them whenever we can. The first bite always delivers a sweet, juicy flavor that encourages us to keep eating them. National Raspberry Day is the perfect day to not only enjoy raspberries, but also learn a few facts and a few new ways to eat them, too.
Red raspberries are native to North America and Asia Minor. Records indicate the people of Troy were gathering them around the time of Christ. Roman Agriculturist Palladius documented the domestication of the red raspberry around the 4th century. Because of this record, Romans are given credit for the spread of cultivation across Europe. However, when settlers came to America, they would learn Native Americans were cultivating and eating raspberries, too. As a nomadic culture, Native American’s had been drying berries, including raspberries, to preserve the food source for the winter months.
George Washington is one of the first large cultivators of berries, including raspberry in the U.S. After moving to his Mount Vernon home in 1761, he quickly made large gardens of fruits, berries, and flowers. By 1867, large production farms began growing berries through out the country. Today, red raspberries are one of the leading berries grown in California, Oregon, and Washington. These three states produce nearly 70 million pounds of red raspberries a year.
3 Types of Raspberries
- ❤️ Red raspberries are considered to be the classic raspberry. They are most commonly found in grocery stores and farmers markets.
- đź’› Yellow or gold are sweeter than red raspberries with few seeds. They are less commonly known than the red raspberry, but are available in specific regions in the U.S.
- đź–¤ Black raspberries are tart, yet have a sweetness to them that balances the flavor. The least common raspberry, black raspberries are rare and normally found only with growers.
5 Health Benefits of Raspberries
Raspberries are an extremely healthy fruit. Similar to other fruits, they provide an enormous amount of antioxidants, Vitamin C and E, beta carotene, lutein, and fiber. In fact, raspberries also contains flavonoids, which helps the body fight toxic substances. Eating raspberries:
- ❤️ Helps with brain function.
- ❤️ Prevents cardiovascular disease.
- ❤️ Assists with diabetes management.
- ❤️ Promotes healthy digestion.
- ❤️ Protects against eye disease.
We celebrate National Raspberry Day during the best time to pick raspberries. In fact, because the fruit is at it’s ripening stage, you will find bushels of plump, juicy raspberries ready for picking. The best time of day to pick raspberries is during the morning when the temperature is a bit cooler. However, you can also pick raspberries when it’s cloudy, too.
Raspberries, like all berries are delicate and should be picked carefully. They can become mushy quickly in the heat, which is why cooler temperatures are more favorable for a picking experience. It’s also a good idea to check the berries for insects or berry rot before putting them into your bucket (or mouth). Don’t forget to rinse them when you get home.
Fresh berries can be eaten in a variety of ways. Many people make raspberries and cream as a refreshing dessert. Others decided to try their hand in fresh raspberry jellies and preserves. You might decide to make a a pie or add them to your ice cream. Unfortunately, a lot of people don’t get the opportunity to try a recipe because they accidentally eat all of the raspberries before they return from picking.
GET INVOLVED: Try a new recipe with raspberries. We’ve got one below for you to try. Visit a raspberry farm that allows you to pick and take them home. Learn about the different varieties of raspberries and their regions. Share your raspberry photos and recipes on social media.
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