Raspberry/Blackberry Basics
Vitamin C and other antioxidants that Raspberries and blackberries are high in may protect cells in your body
Shop and Save
- Choose raspberries and blackberries that are dry, plump and firm.
- Shallow containers help prevent crushing.
- Avoid berries that are moldy, crushed or shriveled and containers with juice on the bottom.
- Berries may be the highest quality and the lowest price when they are available locally.
- In Oregon, look for fresh berries at farm stands and U-pick farms from June through August.
- Frozen berries are available year round. Fresh or frozen, the health benefits are similar.
Store Well Waste Less
- Refrigerate berries in a covered shallow container. Use raspberries within 1 to 3 days. Use blackberries within 3 to 5 days.
- Rinse berries under cool running water just before using. Moisture during storage speeds spoilage.
- Freeze berries for longer storage. Spread on a baking sheet and freeze until firm, 1 to 2 hours. Put frozen berries into labeled airtight containers and return to the freezer. For best quality, use within 8 to 12 months.
Types of Cane Berries
Raspberries and blackberries are caneberries, which grow on long arching or trailing stems called canes.
Raspberries
have a hollow center when picked. Red varieties are the most common, but other colors (black, purple, gold) may be found at farmers markets or farm stands.
Blackberries
have a different flavor from black raspberries and a solid center when picked.
Marionberry
is a variety of blackberry developed and grown in Oregon. Loganberries and Boysenberries are hybrid crosses of raspberries and blackberries. They have solid centers like blackberries.
Loganberries
are oblong dark red fruits with more juice and sharper flavor than raspberries. Boysenberries have large reddish purple fruit.
Enjoy Raspberries and Blackberries
Recipes
Baked Berry Oatmeal
Raspberry Fruit Dip
Any Berry Sauce
Kids Can!
- When kids help make healthy food, they are more likely to try it. Show kids how to:
- rinse berries under cool running water.
- mash berries with a fork or potato masher.
- measure and mix ingredients