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Produce Briefs...
Ramps
The wild ramp, AKA wild leek, botanical name Allium tricoccum, is a flowering perennial plant that grows in clusters. It is a member of the Allium family along with onions and leeks
Calamondin Limes
The Calamondin lime is a cross between a sour, loose skinned mandarin and a kumquat, therefore technically making it an orangequat.
Salanova® Lettuces
Salanova® lettuce is a full-sized variety developed for the baby lettuce market. Botanically these varieties are scientifically known as Lactuca sativa.
Description/Taste
Sunshine raspberries are a similar size and shape to the more common red raspberries with some amazing color differences. They are a marbled mixture of both orange and red, with an overall golden tone. The taste is sweet and honeyed with peach and apricot notes. They are far less tart than red raspberries.
Seasons/Availability
Sunshine raspberries are available in the summer.
Current Facts
Sunshine raspberries are the newest berry from Driscoll’s. They were trademarked in 2009, but did not find a place in the produce world until more recently. A strain of Gold raspberries, they are botanically classified as Rubus idaeus. Like their raspberry cousins, Sunshine raspberries are a bramble fruit within the family, Rosaceae.
Nutritional Value
Sunshine raspberries are a good source of vitamins B and C, folic acid, copper, iron, antioxidants, and ellagic acid, a phenolic compound known to prevent cancer. They also have a high proportion of dietary fiber, comprising of around 20% of the berry’s total weight.
Applications
Use Sunshine raspberries as you would gold raspberries, as their desired traits are the same: super sweet without pigmentation. Opposed to other colored raspberry varieties, their elevated sugar levels and minimal acidity make them less appropriate for savory applications. Sunshine raspberries have a stunning and unique jewel-like appearance that is best showcased when used whole. They make a colorful contribution to glazed tarts, cheesecakes or other baked goods. Complimentary pairings include cocoa, exotic fruits, raisins, nuts such as hazelnuts and Marcona almonds, apricots, honey, peaches, coconut, cinnamon, blueberries, cardamom and lavender. Sunshine raspberries are very perishable, like other berries and should be consumed within a few days.
Geography/History
Raspberries are native to the Fertile Crescent in eastern Europe, specifically modern day Turkey. There are also raspberry bushes that have origins within the New World of North America that were probably transported by early travelers and migrating animals crossing the Bering Strait. The gold variety is a naturally occurring mutation of the common red raspberry. Sunshine raspberries are a cross between golden and red raspberries.
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Sunshine Raspberries. One
is
easiest, three is harder.
