GROWING INFORMATION
Raspberries are a really popular summer fruit, second only to strawberries and they are a firm favourite with the Copas family.
The Fruit Fields have now moved to a growing system where all raspberries are grown in pots. The canes are purchased annually from a specialist nursery supplier. They are kept over Winter in a large deep freeze and brought out in the Spring and planted into pots supplied with trickle irrigation.The canes are purchased at about 5ft in length and when planted they are attached to a support system to make picking easier. The crop is planted at intervals to extend the picking season.
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COOKING, EATING and RECIPES
There are two types of raspberry varieties –
- the summer fruiting varieties, which will produce fruit on the previous year’s canes (the wooden stem of the plant), and
- primo canes, which will produce a cane and fruit in the same season.
VARIETIES GROWN AT THE FRUIT FIELDS PICK YOUR OWN
- Summer Fruiting : Glen Ample (renowned for its excellent flavour and quality
- Primo Cane (Autumn Fruiting): Autumn Bliss and Polka Iver Only
PICKING AND STORING
Picking
- Choose plump, firm raspberries and pick carefully by pulling off the hulls.
- The best fruits are usually to be found nearer the end of the rows.
Storing
- Once picked keep the berries cool to extend shelf life. However, for the best flavour return to room temperature prior to consumption.
- To retain freshness do not wash until ready to eat.
- Raspberries freeze exceptionally well.
NUTRITIONAL BENEFITS
Raspberries are high in antioxidants, vitamin C and dietary fibre.
RASPBERRY FACTS
- Raspberries probably originated in Eastern Africa and it was not until the seventeenth century that the fruit became popular.
- By the eighteenth century cookery writers were devising recipes using the fruit for raspberry wine and vinegar, sweets and jams.
- Raspberries were also used as a cure for sore eyes and throats and to clean the teeth.
- Scotland is famous for its raspberry growing and in the late fifties raspberries were taken from Scotland to Covent Garden on a train known as the “Raspberry Special”.
Variable OPENING HOURS
During the Open Season our 24-hour Message Lines give up-to-date information regarding opening times and produce availability. We advise that you call these lines before you visit.
COOKING AND EATING
Quick and Easy
- Take the hard work out of eating museli by adding raspberries, or other summer fruits of your choice, and serve with milk and a generous dollop of creamy yoghurt.
- Rasberries make a wonderful coulis for summer puds. Press the fruit through a sieve then sweeten to taste with caster sugar and a squeeze of lemon juice.
- Mix raspberries with melon balls and a little chopped mint, then serve with Parma ham or smoked halibut.
RECIPES
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