The new berry's name honors historic figures in both countries. The expedition led by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark spent the winter of 1805-06 in Oregon after reaching the Pacific during their historic overland trek. New Zealand surveyor Henry Lewis discovered a route through that country's Southern Alps in the 1850's. Lewis red raspberry should grow well in the Pacific Northwest and California, or other raspberry-growing areas where winter temperatures don't fall much below zero degrees Fahrenheit. The season in New Zealand runs from November to December.
Raspberries are low in fat and a good source of dietary fiber.
Research at the Hollings Cancer Center in Charleston, S.C., also indicates that red raspberries may be potent cancer-fighters due to their high ellagic acid content. Sakuma Brothers Farms in Burlington and Spooner Farms in Puyallup.