Supermarket-bought raspberries can be expensive because they have a short shelf life and are difficult to harvest. Picking is an inexpensive and enjoyable way to feast on these delicious berries. But how do you know when to pick raspberries and when the fruit is ready to harvest? Read on to learn more about raspberry picking season and harvest.
What are raspberries useful for?
Fresh raspberries have always been good, but lately they've been receiving even more praise because of the flavonoids (anthocyanins) that give raspberries their color. They're also a good source of vitamin C and fiber, and although they're sweet, they rank low on the glycemic index, making them aexcellent choice for thosewho monitor their blood sugar levels. Other than that, they are simply delicious. Raspberries belong to the Rubus genus. They come in red, black and purple.
There are also yellow ones, but these are just red raspberries that lack the red dye. Hardy varieties such as Boyne, Nova and Nordic grow well in northern regions, while Dorman Red, Bababerry and Southland are more heat tolerant when living in southern climates.
You should pick wild raspberries or raspberries yourself from your own garden when they are completely ripe. Once picked, the berries no longer ripen. How do you know they are ripe? The size, color and ease with which they come off the rack are all indicators, but the best way to know if they are ripe is to taste them. Red raspberries can vary from light to dark red and purple from red to almost black. Some berries are difficult to pick from the vine, others slip off easily. Once you've made sure you have enough ripe berries to pick, it's time to get to work.
When should you pick raspberries
For the best flavor and texture, harvest your raspberries when it is dry and cool - when there is no rain and ideally after the midday heat has passed or as early in the morning as possible. The exact timing depends on the variety and location, but in many areas is between summer and early fall. The color of theripe fruitsshould be a deep red, black, purple or gold depending on the variety.If the berriesstill wet from dew or rain, allow them to dry before picking to reduce the risk of mold.
How to harvest the berries
The average yield per plant is 1 to 2 liters of raspberries. To harvest, grab the berry (do not squeeze) and pull gently. If they separate easily from the stem and the core remains on the plant, the fruit is ripe. If you have a lot of ripe berries at once, you should not put the harvested fruits all in one container, otherwise you risk crushing them. Or you can place them in a shallow container so that all the berries at the bottom are not crushed by the weight of the harvest. Carefully remove any visible leaves, soil or other debris, but do not wash the raspberries untilyou want to use them.
When stored for a short period of time (in the refrigerator), washing the berries makes them more susceptible to spoilage. Raspberries do not ripen all at once, but only after a few weeks. So if you're not sure whether a berry is ripe, let it hang on the vine for a day or two to make sure it's fully ripe. When you're done picking, place the berries in the refrigerator if you haven't eaten them while picking. Do not store the berries for more than a few days.
Storage tips
Freshly picked raspberries should be protected from light and placed in the refrigerator immediately after harvesting. It is best to harvest ripe berries every 2 to 3 days to avoid overripe and rotting fruit. Raspberries don't last long after picking - usually 2 to 3 days at most in the fridge. If you can't use your raspberry harvest right away, you can gently rinse it in cold water and let it dry.
Then place the fruit (in a single layer) on parchment or wax paper on a baking sheet and freeze until firm. Place frozen raspberries in labeled and dated freezer bags to store and enjoy at any time. If stored correctly, frozen berries last for around 10 to 12 months without losing quality.
