Raspberry

Enjoy more fruits and vegetables

Grow

Raspberries are fruits which grow on woody stems called 

canes. Canes are biennial, lasting up to two years. The 

underground root and crown of the raspberry plant are 

perennial. Each spring, the plants produce canes from 

buds on the crown and lateral underground stems.1-3

Choose

Select raspberries that are fully ripe, but not overly so. 

Raspberries should be dry, firm, and plump. Avoid those 

that are soft, mushy, leaky or moldy. The appearance of 

raspberries can range from dull and dark to bright and 

shiny. In the United States, raspberries are harvested 

from May through November. Popular U.S. varieties are 

Amity, Heritage, Meeker, Sweet Briar, and Willamette. 

Popular N.C. cultivars include Apache, Arapaho, Kiowa, 

Nantahala, Natchez, and Ouchita.4,7

Use

The majority of raspberries grown in the United States are 

processed as individually quick frozen raspberries, frozen 

raspberry puree, or frozen raspberry juice concentrate. A 

smaller percentage of the crop is sold fresh for markets in 

the U.S. and abroad.7,8

Raspberries are a very delicate fruit

Handle raspberries with care to prevent damage. Do not 

wash raspberries until ready to use. When ready to use, 

wash gently and pat dry with single use paper towel. 

Raspberries freeze well. Lay them out in a single layer on 

a flat pan or baking sheet and place them in the freezer. 

Once frozen, put them in a freezer safe container or a 

plastic resealable bag. Raspberries are great on their own 

or mixed in oatmeal, cereal, yogurt or a salad. They are 

also tasty made into a puree or sauce. There are so many 

ways to serve and enjoy raspberries!7,8

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. 08/15

http://childnutrition.ncpublicschools.gov

PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA

State Board of Education

Department of Public Instruction

Fun Fact: Raspberries can be red, yellow, orange, purple 

or black.1-4,6

Fun Fact: Raspberry plants can live for up to 10 years.4

Fun Fact: Raspberries are sometimes called caneberries. 

Historically, growers have called raspberries brambles.1

Fruit 

Raspberries belong to the genus Rubus, which is part of 

the Rose family.1-3 Raspberries can be found growing from 

the Artic to the equator.3Raspberries thrive in cooler 

weather and prefer sustained winter temperatures that 

are lower – ideal for growers in mountain and western 

regions of North Carolina. Raspberries prefer deep, well 

drained loamy soil. They need full sun and adequate soil 

moisture. Space red raspberry plants 2-3 feet apart and 

rows 10-12 feet apart.3-5

Cultivated raspberries have been derived mainly from two 

species, the wild red raspberry and black raspberry. The 

purple raspberry is a cross between the black and red 

raspberries. The yellow type is a mutant red raspberry. 

Raspberries are unique in that the fruit separates from 

the receptacle yielding a hollow core.1

Store

Raspberries are highly perishable and should be picked or 

purchased one or two days prior to use. Once harvested 

or purchased, they should be stored in the refrigerator. 

Before storing, remove any raspberries that are molded 

so they will not spoil other berries in the container.7

Fun Fact: Over two hundred species of raspberries have 

been identified.3
Raspberry

Soluble fiber can help lower cholesterol. Insoluble fiber 

aids digestion. Vitamin C helps form collagen to hold 

muscles, bones and tissues together, protects us from 

infections and bruising, aids in healing, keeps our gums 

healthy, helps our body absorb iron and folate from 

plants, and acts as an antioxidant to prevent cell damage. 

Raspberries offer a variety of phytochemicals—flavonoids, 

ellagic acid, lutein, etc. Phytochemicals act as antioxidants 

preventing or repairing cell damage. Anthocyanidins, a 

flavonoid sub-group, contribute to the blue, red and 

purple pigments of fruits. Anthocyanidins may also help 

with maintaining brain and healthy immune function. 

Ellagic acid helps neutralize free radicals that may damage 

cells and boost antioxidant defenses in cells. Lutein may 

help maintain healthy vision.4,8-9,11

Teach

Raspberry plants consist of several different parts: roots, 

canes, stems, thorns, leaves and fruit. Roots crown 

beneath the soil surface and provide a support system for 

the plant. Shoots, called canes, grow from buds on the 

crown and lateral stems. Canes can be thornless or 

thorny. Serrated, veiny leaves grow on raspberry stems. 

Drupelets, the fruit, grow around a fleshy core called a 

receptacle and are held together by tiny hairs. When 

picked, the fruit detaches from the receptacle.1-4,8

Class Activity

Materials Needed:

 Paper, colored pens or pencils, computer or tablet

 Different colored raspberries

Steps:

1. Discuss the parts of the raspberry plant with the class.

2. Discuss the varieties of raspberries. Allow students to 

examine the different colored raspberries.

3. Ask students draw and label the parts of the raspberry 

plant. A computer can also be used to draw the fruit.

Fun Fact: Raspberries are one of the top ten fruits and 

vegetables with the highest antioxidant rating!9

Enjoy more fruits and vegetables

Fruit 

Find

For more raspberry facts and resources, visit:

1. www.raspberryblackberry.com

2. http://umaine.edu/publications/2066e

3. http://extension.illinos.edu/raspberries/about.cfm

4. http://rubus.ces.ncsu.edu

5. http://cipm.ncsu.edu/NCCBRGA

6. www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org/raspberries

7. www.fns.usda.gov

8. www.oregon-berries.com

9. www.red-raspberry.org

10. http://ndb.nal.usda.gov

11. www.eatright.org

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. 08/15

http://childnutrition.ncpublicschools.gov

PUBLIC SCHOOLS OF NORTH CAROLINA

State Board of Education

Department of Public Instruction

Fun Fact: Raspberries are not really a berry. They are an 

aggregate fruit. A raspberry is made up of many 

connecting, individual sections of fruit, each with its own 

seed that surrounds a central core. The aggregate 

structure increases the fiber content of the raspberry.1,4

Eat

Sweet and Nutritious

Raspberries are an excellent source of fiber (32% of the 

Daily Value) and vitamin C (40% of the Daily Value). A cup 

of fresh raspberries has about 64 calories, 8 grams of fiber 

and 32 mg of vitamin C. They are free of cholesterol and 

low in fat and sodium.4,6-11

Berry Books

Class Activity

Materials Needed:

Storybooks such as:

Berries, Nuts and Seeds by Diane L. Burn

The Berry Book by Gail Gibbons

Jamberry by Bruce Degen

Raspberries by Jay O’Callahan and Will Moses

Steps:

1. Read and discuss the storybooks as a class.

2. Ask students to share their experiences with growing, 

picking and/or eating raspberries.