Buy certified organically grown raspberries because these have less likelihood to have been exposure to contaminants—such as pesticides and heavy metals. Look for the USDA organic logo on the container to make sure that they are “cerified organic.”.
Buy raspberries in their peak period—which is mid-summer through early fall…if any other season, opt for frozen raspberries instead.
Look for berries that are firm, plump, and deep in color….and avoid berries that are soft, mushy, or moldy.
Make sure that the raspberries are not packed too tightly whenever you are buying raspberries that are in a prepackaged container. The container should have no signs of stains or moisture because this indicates that they might already be spoiled.
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Storing Raspberries
Keep your berries, either in their original container or a glass or plastic container that has a sealable lid in the fridge…because they can mold quite easily at room temperature.
But before sticking them in the fridge first remove any molded or spoiled berriesso that they won’t quickly ruin the other berries.
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Freezing Raspberries
Fresh raspberries freeze very well. Wash them gently, using the low pressure of the sink sprayer. If you use more force when washing the raspberries, they won’ so that they won’t maintain their delicate shape.
After you finish washing them, pat them dry with a paper towel. Now “flash freeze” them. This means to arrange the raspberries in a single layer on a cookie sheet and stick the cooking sheet in the freezer until the berries are frozen,
After the berries are frozen, put them either in a Ziploc bag or a sealable plastic freezer container and stick them in the freezer.
The frozen raspberries will stay good for up to one year.
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Using Raspberries
Consume them within a couple of days after buying them because raspberries are highly perishable,
Here are a few suggestions…
For breakfast, try raspberries…
- Added to cereal, oatmeal, or porridge
- Blended as a smoothie
- On top of pancakes or waffles
- With yogurt and granola
A few more ideas are to use raspberries for…
- Herbal teas
- Jams and jellies
- Salads
- Sauces for chicken or fish
And last but not least, use raspberries for desserts such as Raspberry Crumble.
