Raspberries Delivery or Pickup

Most people don't know that the raspberry plant is in the same family as the rose, which explains the thorny bramble growth of the plant. Raspberry plants bear the edible raspberry fruit and are perennial. Raspberry plants commonly get planted as dormant canes in the winter months. 

Regions that don't experience cold winters use a system called long cane production. This system takes canes grown for a year in colder climates and transplants them, roots and all, in warmer regions that don't have a necessary cold to produce the proper bud break. The plants quickly flower in these warmer climates and grow early-season crops. 

The raspberry plant can experience root rot. Therefore, farmers plant them on raised beds in fertile, well-drained soil. Raspberry plants have perennial roots, but quite a few don't have perennial shoots. Instead, they have biennial shoots that grow in the first season and bear fruit in the second season. The vigorous growth of the plant can be invasive if left unchecked. They propagate through basal shoots called suckers. These suckers extend underground and develop roots and individual plants. Raspberry plants are easily grown from cuttings that root well in moist soil.

Raspberries are often used in fruit salads. They have a tangy sweetness but are delicate and bruise easy. They make great garnishes for cocktails, or you can muddle them into the cocktail. Pastry chefs love using them to top off desserts like crème brûlée or chocolate cake. Making a compote from raspberries adds a sweet sauce that complements many types of desserts. Many chefs are using raspberry compote in entrees now, as it pairs well with pork, chicken, and many kinds of fish. Infusing your maple syrup with raspberries will make your waffles and pancakes a hit at breakfast.

Selecting raspberries can be tricky. They come in half-pint or pint see-through plastic containers, which helps. Ripe raspberries are red, though other colors exist and will be marketed as such. Look for bright red colors free of any gray or brown. Gray coloring indicates mold, and brown signifies rot. Because raspberries are 86% water, they don't last very long. Any signs of moisture or squashed fruit should be avoided as these will likely go bad quickly. 

Raspberries can last a day or two at room temperature before turning bad. It would be best to keep them in your refrigerator to extend their shelf life. In your fridge, raspberries can last up to a week. They will begin to dry out and shrivel in your fridge rather than simply rot. The older the raspberry gets, the darker its color becomes. You can freeze raspberries for more extended storage. Wash them first and completely dry them before putting them in a vacuum-sealed container. Containers are better than plastic bags as the fruit can get damaged easily. In your freezer, raspberries can last several months. 

Raspberries are versatile enough to puree and then freeze for later use in dessert dishes. You can make jelly or jam from fresh raspberries and enjoy the sweet and tangy flavor on your toast or muffins year-round.

You can save yourself time by using the Instacart app to shop for your raspberries. Simply add them to your cart and pay. Once you've checked out, an Instacart shopper will gather your order. Your raspberries will be ready for in-store pickup or delivery in as little as 2 hours!