The red raspberry was first cultivated about 400 years ago on European soil. Cultivation spread to England and the United States, where the native American raspberry was already well known.
In 1845, Dr. Brinkle of Philadelphia became the first successful producer of raspberry in United States and he originated many varieties. By 1870, this berry had become an important crop in the United States.
The red raspberry is native to the northern United States, and the black raspberry is found in the South. The purple raspberry is a hybrid between the red and the black, and did not become important until about 1900.
The raspberry has a wide range of color. A yellow raspberry is found growing wild in many areas, particularly in Maryland. The Asiatic species of raspberry has a color that ranges though red, orange, yellow, lavender, purple, wine, to black. Even white berries have been found in Alabama and Oregon, and lavender ones in North Carolina. In the West the wild black raspberry is often not quite black, but rather a deep wine in color.
The market berry is usually the cultivated berry and is not red and black. There are many varieties of each that are popular. The market supply runs from mid April through July, and the peak month is July.
A quality berry is plump, with a clean, fresh appearance, a solid, full color, and is usually without adhering caps. Berries with caps attached may be immature. Overripe berries are usually dull in color, soft, and sometime leaky.
Raspberry
