Raspberries

Who would have thought that in the middle of December we'd be up to our ears in raspberries?

Well if you live in Tasmania....

I was very excited to find out that there are raspberry bushes in our garden when we first moved here and now we are in the depth of raspberry season. Picking everyday for at least 1 or 2 hours we only cover half the patch, and then someone will call out, "OK, close your eyes, we're done!"
(Although some will still mention that there are still "heaps" of ripe berries that were missed in the first go-through). The past couple pickings were the most yet, with 155 punnets, then 170...we appear to be in the peak right now. Good thing too, because we are selling lots to the veggie markets and IGA because people like them for Christmas. We're also selling them off the road here too. This is one thing that is much more expensive here than in Canada. Oh well, I've sure had more of my fill of them, and then some.


Just a quick Google search revealed that raspberries are rich in ellagic acid (antioxidant), quercetin, and have antimicrobial properties to prevent the overgrowth of some bacteria and fungi including the ever popular Candida-albicans. They contain B vitamins, C vitamin, manganese, riboflaven, folate, niacin, magnesium, potassium and copper. It is also suggested that raspberries contain anti-cancer properties. Funny that phrase is becoming more and more common with simple foods. Is it maybe that eating properly (naturally) will not only prevent but also help overcome cancer? (This statement is meant to be read with a slightly sarcastic tone).