Summertime is raspberry time! These sweet little fruits are a tasty treat that you can enjoy anywhere, at any time: as a snack in between meals, as a berry-based dessert and of course for any al fresco outings. Simply divinely fresh, they are also extremely versatile. Here we reveal 5 reasons why raspberries are the perfect snack for right now and why they should be part of your summer!

 

1.    Summer health boost

 

Aromatic with a deliciously sweet and sour taste, this red power berry tastes fantastic, is low in calories and provides fruit fans with important vitamins and nutrients during the summer months. Raspberries are an excellent source of vitamins A, B, C and K and numerous minerals like potassium, calcium, magnesium and iron. They also contain antioxidants, which help to protect your cells. Above all, their vitamin C content is really impressive: 100 g of raspberries contain a whole 25 mg of this vitamin. This means that 200 g of raspberries contain half your daily requirement of vitamin C, which helps to build connective tissue, cartilage and bone tissue, enhances the absorption of iron from your food and of course strengthens your immune system. So we are doing our bodies a real favour by choosing raspberries as a summer snack.

 

2.    Sweetly packaged fluid

 

When the sun is beating down and temperatures are rising, our bodies need plenty of fluids. At this time of the year, you should be drinking at least 2 litres a day as sweating causes your body to lose important minerals, potentially resulting in headaches, dizziness and reduced responsiveness. The good news is that fruit and vegetables also contain plenty of water and help to ensure you have a sufficient supply. It’s a no-brainer – raspberries are the snack of choice when temperatures are rising! The little red fruit has a particularly high water content of more than 84.5%. Our advice is to fill a container with fresh raspberries and store it in a cooler box for picnics, bike trips and the like. For an extra boost of freshness during the summer months, mix a few ice cubes, raspberries and some mineral water in a glass. This refreshing combination is guaranteed to encourage you to drink.

 

3.    Creative summer pleasure

 

Another reason why raspberries are the perfect summer snack: their incredible versatility! This juicy fruit truly has universal appeal and can be used in any number of creative ways. We recommend our raspberry smoothie with algae for an invigorating start to a summer’s day. A creamy dream in green and pink! Our raspberry and almond muesli bars are a handy and crunchy treat to have on hand for all excursions and adventures. These homemade power bars have what it takes to be a favourite food. Want to feast on something fruity on those balmy summer evenings? This pineapple and raspberry panna cottawill do the trick. This delicious dessert is quick to make and tastes of holidays and joie de vivre! See how raspberries are a creative ingredient in making life sweet.

 

4.    Tasty support for your digestion

 

Especially in summer, we love to exercise and organise spontaneous outings. So it’s high time to stimulate your gut as well. During the summer months, raspberries are good for our digestive system, as 100 g of raspberries contain almost 7 g of fibre. In addition to water-soluble fibre, they also contain insoluble fibre, such as lignin and cellulose. These are found mainly in the small seeds in the fruit and help us to digest food as efficiently as possible. A high intake of fibre can reduce the risk of diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease. The fibre in raspberries also helps to keep us full for longer. A truly fruity all-rounder!

 

5.    Frozen refreshment on hot days

 

Want to ensure you have a supply of raspberries for the summer? Then simply buy frozen berries or freeze fresh ones. If you opt for the latter, the best thing to do is to freeze the fruit on the same day that you buy it. Wash the raspberries carefully and lay them out on a plate. Place them in the freezer for at least one hour. You can then put the frozen raspberries in a freezer bag and store them in the freezer for up to 6 months. The advantage of this is that you always have a supply of these delicious treats. Freezing raspberries is also a great idea for little fruit fans. And the ice-cold berries taste delicious particularly during the summer – on their own, in a smoothie or in homemade iced teas. Berrylicious!

 

It’s always summer somewhere!

 

Your Dole team