Raspberries: Summer Powerfood

Sweet juicy red raspberries are a delight to see and eat in the summer! Raspberries are so good for us with all the health benefits making them one of the Powerfoods!

Health Benefits of Raspberries:

Helps keep your metabolic rate high with high levels of the trace mineral manganese.
One of the top 10 antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables.
Has twice the ORAC value (antioxidant) of oranges or apples and higher than blueberries.
Contain ellagic acid, a natural substance which is an anti-carcinogenic (cancer-preventing).
High in vitamin C. One cup provides over half your daily requirement
Has more fiber than most fruits. One cup of raspberries provides over 8 grams of dietary fiber.
The seeds are rich in vitamin E, omega-3 fatty acids and have a natural SPF (sun protection factor) of 25 to 50.
Naturally have no cholesterol and no sodium.
One cup has only 64 calories with a low-glycemic index.
Raspberry leaf tea is commonly used during pregnancy to combat the nausea of morning sickness.
The sugars in raspberries are natural and healthy.

raspberry by men'thedogs at flickr

Did You Know?

Raspberries are a member of the rose family.
They are not just red: there are also black, purple and gold raspberries.
The average raspberry has 100 to 120 seeds.
Unripe raspberries do not ripen after they are picked!

Raspberries are very easy to grow. I started with one raspberry bush 11 years ago and now have a big raspberry patch! I picked over 8 buckets full this summer. In fact, I have been having buckets full for at least 7 years.

Right now, I a eat a large bowl of raspberries (after I pick them) every morning for breakfast. Mmmmm. I just love being able to do that.

What do I do with all those raspberries?

Freeze lots of them so I have fruit all year.
Make Raspberry ‘Vinaigrette’.
Make jam.
Dehydrate.
Give some to neighbours and friends.
And of course I eat lots of them while they are fresh and in season.

Recipes with Raspberries:
Apple-Raspberry Jam
Raspberry “Vinaigrette“

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