Raspberries (also known as brambles and blackberries) are red berries typically found in the summer. These berries can be used to make several delicious dishes such as raspberry pie and raspberry lemonade. These berries are also used for making jam, syrup, ice cream, or even beer!
We also made a video out of this blog in case you are more interested in watching than reading it.
These tasty fruits can be found in most grocery stores during the summer months. You may also begin to notice raspberries starting to grow wild in your backyard this time of year! Raspberries prefer areas with little shade or full sun exposure. They do well in zones 3-10.
Raspberries are a healthy fruit because they contain vitamins, minerals, and fiber. Many berries can be found in grocery stores or orchards. The most popular berries that can be found are raspberries, strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, and gooseberries.
These healthy berries can be eaten all year round if you pick them yourself or buy them fresh from a store. They can be frozen or canned for later use when you need them.
All raspberries are edible, but the typical berries that you can find at grocery stores are not as healthy as other berries that you can buy from orchards. The strawberries, blackberries, and blueberries that you can buy at local grocery stores generally have less sugar content than the ones that grow in an orchard. Therefore, they are better for your health if you do not mind buying them from a grocery store.
The best time to pick raspberries is around mid-summer or early fall of the year when they are ripe and ready to pick. You can enjoy them fresh, or they can be frozen or canned for use throughout the year. Raspberries are low in calories, fat, and sugar. They are also a good source of fiber and vitamin C.
These berries contain the following nutrients:
Calories-56
Carbohydrates-14g
Protein-2g
Fiber-4g
Fat-1g
Sugar-7g
Vitamin A-5%
Vitamin C – 25%
Vitamin B6 – 8%
Magnesium – 6%
Manganese – 11%
Potassium – 3%
Copper – 10%
Iron - 9%
Phosphorus - 9%
Zinc - 4%
Raspberries for Weight Loss
Raspberries contain many phytochemicals that can help you reduce your weight. Raspberries have a low calorie and sugar content but still taste great. A cup of raspberries contains just 56 calories and has 7 grams of sugar. Because they contain so much water, they fill you up without adding a lot to your waistline. This helps people eat less because they feel full faster than they would when eating regular foods.
Raspberries are considered a functional food for weight loss. They do not have any fat or cholesterol in them, which makes them an excellent choice for weight watchers as well as heart patients.
They also contain fiber that helps slow the absorption of sugar, which reduces blood sugar levels. This in turn helps to keep you from getting hungry soon after eating. Along with this, they are high in antioxidants that help to prevent cell damage from free radicals. These antioxidants also protect your body tissues from the harmful effects of free radicals.
Another reason raspberries are great for weight loss is because they contain pectin. This has been shown to help a person feel fuller longer after eating and can help you lose belly fat. Pectin is a water-soluble fiber in your diet that is found in blueberries, apples, and citrus fruits.
Raspberries can also help you reduce your cholesterol level. Research has shown that raspberries can help to reduce your LDL or bad cholesterol levels by two milligrams per day. This amount of raspberries will only cause a 10 percent decrease in total cholesterol levels for most people. HDL or good cholesterol remains unaffected. Another study found that 5 grams of raspberries per day were able to help reduce cholesterol by up to 7 milligrams per day in most people who ate it every day for an entire year without taking any other medication or supplements.
Raspberry Juice for Weight Loss
Raspberries are high in fiber, which is a nutrient that is very important for weight loss. Fiber helps to keep you feeling full, which can help you eat less without feeling hungry or deprived. Fiber also does not take up much room in your stomach and will pass through your digestive system quickly. This means that it will not be sitting in your gut for long and causing digestive problems.
It also contains a substance known as pectin, which is one of the main components of fiber. It has been found to increase the rate at which our food passes through the gastrointestinal tract as it has been shown to significantly reduce feelings of hunger and lower food intake by increasing feelings of fullness.
Raspberries for Digestion
Eating raspberries or drinking raspberry juice can help to improve digestion. They are packed with dietary fiber which helps to promote regularity and prevent constipation. The antioxidants that raspberries contain can also be beneficial for avoiding colon cancer as well as inflammatory bowel diseases like ulcerative colitis.
They contain manganese, a trace mineral that has been shown to have positive effects on your digestive system by helping your body absorb and use certain vitamins and enzymes. This mineral is especially beneficial to your gut health as it is capable of protecting your cells from free radicals. Manganese deficiency can lead to leaky gut and other digestive disorders.
Raspberries can help heal a damaged intestine in people suffering from ulcerative colitis and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The antioxidants in raspberries will help reduce inflammation and allow your intestinal wall to heal itself.
Raspberries for Heart Health
One of the most important benefits that raspberries possess is that they may help reduce heart disease risk factors. Antioxidants found in raspberries have been shown to protect against oxidative stress which damages cells lining the walls of arteries and reduces blood flow throughout the body.
Raspberries may also improve blood flow to the heart. The antioxidants in raspberries will help reduce the amount of plaque that collects on your arteries, allowing your heart to pump more efficiently. Raspberries will also help to lower your total LDL cholesterol levels which reduces your risk for both heart disease and stroke. Studies have shown that people who consume 5-10 grams of raspberries daily have a 68-percent reduction in their risk of developing atherosclerosis at 5 years.
Raspberries for Women
The high amount of phytochemicals in raspberries are extremely beneficial for women. These phytochemicals can help to protect the female reproductive system from damage by free radicals. They will help to keep the vagina healthy and prevent yeast infection.
Raspberries are also great for the skin and will help to give it a healthy glow. They do this by helping to remove dirt, oil, and dead skin cells that can clog your pores and cause acne.
Another benefit of raspberries is that they may be able to help prevent damage to DNA as well as damage caused by ultraviolet radiation from the sun. Because of this, they may help reduce your risk of developing certain types of cancer. Additional research is needed before these benefits can be confirmed but many women are taking advantage of raspberry supplements or using raspberry juice to try and stay healthy during menopause.
Raspberries for Men
Men love raspberries and they do them good. They can help reduce bad cholesterol levels, which are a risk factor for heart disease and stroke. The antioxidants in raspberries can also help reduce your risk of prostate cancer and protect you from antioxidants that get released into your bloodstream after you exercise. These antioxidants have been shown to be extremely beneficial in preventing muscle pain after working out, which is something many people want to avoid before starting their workout routine.
Recipes Using Raspberries
Raspberries are a good choice for your fruit salad because they are sweet and have a unique flavor that you may not find in other fruits. They are also great to add to granola or cereal in the morning as well. You will find that raspberries are rich in Vitamin C, calcium, and fiber.
Raspberries freeze very well and can be used to make desserts, smoothies, sauces, or even jams!
Raspberry Huller with Fruits and Nuts
Eat or cook the hulls and seeds. The same is also true for the pulp, although many people say it's tastier and more nutritious to eat the pulp. You can also sprout the seeds by placing them in water. Strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries are good for this. Some people add cranberry juice or vinegar to prevent discoloration of the berries. Avoid adding lime juice; it will make raspberries turn brown faster. To help prevent rotting, keep them in an airtight bag in a cool place.
Raspberry Almond Cheesecake
Preheat the oven to 375° F (190° C). In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth and smooth. Add in the sugar, eggs, sour cream, and raspberries. Mix well. Combine flour, baking powder, almonds, and vanilla in a separate bowl. Add into the cheesecake batter alternately with buttermilk. Pour into a 9 x 13-inch baking pan (1 1/2 quart) that has been lined with foil or lightly sprayed with butter-flavored oil. Bake for 45 - 55 minutes or until the top is light brown and set when gently shaken.
Take the cheesecake out of the oven. Let it cool completely before refrigerating for at least 3 hours. To get a firm cheesecake, refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving.
Strawberry-Raspberry Parfaits
Mix berries and yogurt to taste. Refrigerate until ready to eat. Can be frozen in an ice cream maker or eaten immediately with a spoon
Raspberry Cheesecake
Preheat the oven to 350° F (180° C). In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth and smooth. Add in the sugar, eggs, sour cream, and raspberries. Mix well. Combine flour, baking powder, almonds, and vanilla in a separate bowl. Add into the cheesecake batter alternately with buttermilk. Pour into a 9 x 13-inch baking pan (1 1/2 quart) that has been lined with foil or lightly sprayed with butter-flavored oil. Bake for 45 - 55 minutes or until the top is light brown and set when gently shaken.
Take the cheesecake out of the oven. Let it cool completely before refrigerating for at least 3 hours. To get a firm cheesecake, refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving.
Peach-Raspberry Parfaits
Mix together berries and yogurt to taste. Refrigerate until ready to eat. Can be frozen in an ice cream maker or eaten immediately with a spoon
Raspberry Jam
Making raspberry jam with fresh berries is a little more expensive than making it with pre-made berries, but it is so worth the extra time and effort. The taste and texture of the jam made from fresh raspberries will be superior to the store-bought variety because of the fresher and sweeter raspberry flavor you get when making your own jam. I find that if you don't add any pectin to your recipe, naturally occurring pectin will form, giving a thicker sauce. This method of jam makes several jars at once instead of just one or two jars like commercial jams do.
I think it is better to freeze the fruit and make the jam during the winter months. That way you don't have to worry about canning your jam or making a mess with boiling water. I prefer using mason jars for freezing my jams but small freezer bags work well also. Because I live in a warm area, I put the jars in a cooler and then put them in my regular freezer overnight or until frozen. If you live in an area that freezes for several months out of the year, then you can just store your jam in your regular freezer until frozen.
Ingredients:
1 cup raspberries (3 1/2 cups when frozen)
Directions:
Freeze berries for several hours or overnight. Combine frozen berries with 1/2 cup of white sugar in a bowl. Thaw berries completely.
3 cups raspberries (3 3/4 cups when frozen)
Directions:
Freeze berries for several hours or overnight. Combine frozen berries with 1 1/4 cups of white sugar in a bowl. Thaw berries completely.
Make sure you sterilize your jars and rings before you begin canning the jam. I prefer to use mason jars because they are freezable and have screw-on lids that can go on the top of the jar to keep your jam fresh before opening it in the morning, just like store-bought jam do.
Raspberry Syrup Ingredients: *2 pints of raspberries *1 cup water *1 cup sugar
Directions: Clean raspberries by sorting through and removing any leaves and stems. Spread them out on a baking sheet in the freezer for 2 hours. Measure one cup of water into a medium-sized saucepan and place it over medium heat. Bring water to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Add sugar and stir until dissolved. Stir in raspberries and cook on low heat for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Turn off the heat, and let the fruit soak at room temperature until cool. Blend raspberries with an electric blender until smooth (about 30 seconds). Pour syrup through a sieve into a bowl and store in the refrigerator until ready to use.
Raspberry Lemonade Ingredients: *1 cup water *1 cup sugar *1/2 cup lemon juice
Directions: Mix all ingredients in a pitcher. Serve over ice.
Try making a raspberry cocktail! Add one pound of raspberries to 200-250 mL of vodka. Let the mixture sit for a couple of days (no longer than five days), then strain the vodka through a fine-mesh strainer, discarding the solids. Bring the strained mixture back to a boil and add one ounce of triple sec or other orange liqueur to your desired strength and enjoy! These drinks are very potent, so I would recommend serving them in small sittings. Serves four.
Raspberry Sorbet Ingredients: *1 pound fresh raspberries *1 1/2 cups sugar *2 cups water Directions: Boil the water and sugar together in a medium-sized saucepan. Remove from heat and let cool for 5 minutes. Place raspberries into a blender and blend with the sugar water for one minute. Pour mixture into a bowl, cover, and refrigerate overnight or for up to two days. Freeze immediately after mixing.
Raspberry Wild Berry Jam Ingredients: *2 cups fresh raspberries *3/4 cup water *1/4 cup lemon juice Directions: Wash and hull raspberries. Add all ingredients to a medium-sized saucepan, add the lid, place over medium heat and bring to a boil. Continue boiling for thirty minutes. Turn off heat and let it stand for five minutes. Place mixture into a jar and process in a blender or food processor until smooth (about 30 seconds). Pour into freezer-safe containers or jars and process in an ice-cream machine if desired. Makes about two cups of jam.
If you do not want to freeze this mixture, you can pour it into sterilized jars and process them in boiling water for 10 minutes. You can also process it in a hot water bath for 10 minutes if you do not have a jar that is safe for boiling water.
Raspberry Shrub Ingredients: *4 cups raspberries *1 1/2 cups white sugar *1/4 cup lime juice Directions: Wash and hull raspberries. Add all ingredients to a medium-sized saucepan, add the lid, and bring to a boil. Continue boiling for thirty minutes. Turn off heat and let it stand for five minutes. Place mixture into a jar and process in a blender or food processor until smooth (about 30 seconds). Pour into freezer-safe jars or plastic containers immediately.
Raspberry Vodka Ingredients: *1/2 cup raspberries *1 cup vodka
Directions: Place raspberries in an 8-ounce shot glass, and pour vodka over them. Swirl around the drink with your hand before sipping to release more flavor from the berries.
Raspberry White Sangria Ingredients: *1 cup fresh raspberries *1 1/2 cups wine, chilled Directions: Wash and hull raspberries. Add all ingredients to a medium-sized saucepan, add the lid, and bring to a boil. Continue boiling for thirty minutes. Turn off heat and let it stand for five minutes. Place mixture into a jar and process in a blender or food processor until smooth (about 30 seconds). Pour into freezer-safe jars or plastic containers immediately.
Raspberry Wines Ingredients: *3 pints fresh raspberries * 1-pint white sugar *2 tablespoons Pectin
Directions: Wash and hull raspberries. Add all ingredients to a medium-sized saucepan, add the lid, and bring to a boil. Continue boiling for thirty minutes. Turn off heat and let it stand for five minutes. Place mixture into a jar and process in a blender or food processor until smooth (about 30 seconds). Pour into freezer-safe jars or plastic containers immediately. Try substituting different fruits into this recipe to make different flavored wines!
Raspberry Yogurt Cake Ingredients: *1 cup sugar *2 cups flour *1 teaspoon cinnamon *3/4 cup yogurt (plain) *5 eggs, beaten *1/2 stick butter, melted and cooled slightly *3/4 teaspoon baking powder
Directions: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Butter and flour a 9 x 13-inch cake pan. In a bowl, combine sugar, flour, baking powder, and cinnamon with a wire whisk. Add butter and mix well. Beat in eggs one at a time until well blended. Stir in yogurt until combined. Pour batter into the prepared pan and bake for an hour. Serve with raspberry sauce.
Baked Raspberry Cottage Cheese Ingredients: *1 package (10 oz.) frozen raspberries *1/2 cup sugar *2 cups low fat cottage cheese *1/4 cup orange juice
Directions: Thaw the berries. Add berries, sugar, and juice to a food processor or blender and blend until smooth. Pour mixture into a bowl and stir in cottage cheese. Chill for at least one hour before serving. Garnish with fresh raspberries if desired.
Raspberries for Dogs
Fresh raspberries are an important part of a dog's diet. They are an excellent food for dogs because they are high in vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants. A study published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association has shown that dogs who eat no more than one can a week of fresh raspberries have a lower risk of developing cancer, aren't overweight or underweight, and live longer. Raspberries are also a rich source of ellagic acid. Research on rats has found that ellagic acid may fight free radicals as well as protect the body from radiation damage. An extract of black raspberries (called black raspberry tea) may also help relieve skin conditions like acne and allergies by reducing inflammation. However, so far there is no evidence that the same is true for humans.