Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Raspberries and Blackberries Help Prevent Cancers

   Raspberries and blackberries are high in anti-oxidants that can help prevent some types of cancers.  Black raspberries have the highest levels of anti-oxidants of any temperate-zone fruits, and blackberries have the second-highest levels.  Next highest are black currants, then purple raspberries, then black grapes, then blueberries, then red raspberries.  The blueberry industry has good public relations so everyone thinks of them when they hear anti-oxidants, but actually black raspberries, blackberries and purple raspberries have much higher levels. The darker the fruit, the higher the amounts of color-producing anthocyanins, which are anti-oxidants.
Black raspberries ripen from green to orange to red to purple and finally to deep black, when they're ready to pick.  Black raspberries have the highest levels of cancer-fighting anti-oxidants of any temperate-zone fruits
   Many red raspberries and black raspberries are ripe now until July 4 or so, and many people have been picking them.  Purple raspberry harvest will run from about June 20 to July 14 or so, and thornless blackberry harvest will run from about June 24 to about Aug. 8.
P.E. Davis of Pittsburg (left) and Susan Newby of Coffeyville (right) were among many who picked raspberries on Tuesday morning June 17.  Both of them picked both red raspberries and black raspberries.
    As always, raspberries and blackberries, like all our berries, are sold pick-your-own only.  Raspberries are $1.86 per pint + tax pick-your-own, and blackberries are $2.55 per quart + tax pick-your-own.  We provide containers, and just ask that you return them for reuse if you make another trip to Brenda's Berries & Orchards.
   From June 1 to Aug. 31, we're open Mon. to Sat. 7:30 a.m. to 12 noon & 7-9 p.m., and Sun. 7-9 p.m. only.  We're closed Sun. mornings for church, and closed every afternoon from 12 noon to 7 p.m. due to high summer heat.
Red raspberries are very plentiful now, so we have enough for many pickers on weekday mornings and most evenings.
   We have plenty of red raspberries and black raspberries now for many pickers on weekday mornings.  If you want to come on a Sat. morning (our busiest time), or an evening, phone a day or so in advance and I'll put you on the calendar, and call you to reschedule if we get picked out or it's going to rain that day.  Also phone ahead for the first week or so of purple raspberry harvest or thornless blackberry harvest, when the ripe berries are limited and many people want to pick them.
   We still have harvested asparagus, harvested apples, and cracked pecans for sale, during our open hours.  Scroll down and click on "Older Posts" for Prices.