Interesting Facts About Raspberries

Yum, raspberries!  So sweet and tasty, whether you are eating them plain or with ice cream.  But how much do you really know about raspberries?  Facts like they have no fat, they come in four different colours and what states and provinces grow the majority of raspberries in Canada and the United States.  Learn these facts, plus read about interesting trivia, nutritional facts, what recipes raspberries can be used in and three myths that talk about raspberries.

Interesting Facts About Raspberries

Interesting Facts About Raspberries

---

Interesting Facts About Raspberries

Interesting Facts About Raspberries

Miscellaneous Facts

Do you think you know your raspberries?  Test your knowledge against these quick facts:

• Raspberries can be either red, purple, gold or black in colour.  Golden raspberries are sweeter than the other varieties.
• The difference between raspberries and blackberries is that raspberries have a hollow core in the middle while blackberries do not.
• In the United States, about 90% of all raspberries sold come from Washington, California and Oregon.  In Canada, the province of British Colombia produces about 80% of all raspberries sold in Canada.
• There are over 200 species of raspberries.
• When picking raspberries, look for berries that are firm and dark in colour.  They should not be soft or mushy.  Gently pull on the berry; if it does not come off easily then leave it on the bush, as the berry is not ripe enough yet.
• Once raspberries have been picked, they won't ripen any further.

Health Facts

Everyone wants to eat healthier, but often healthy is equated with bland or tasteless Food.  Well, you can stop thinking like that because here's a Food that is tasty and good for you as well!  The medical benefits of raspberries include:

• They do not have any fat, saturated fat, sodium or cholesterol.
• They are high in fiber, vitamin C, potassium and folate.
• They are low in calories.
• They can help lower high blood pressure.
• Raspberries have an anti-inflammatory property that may help to reduce inflammation of the joints.

Food Facts

Raspberries can be used in a variety of food dishes.  If you know someone who doesn't like to eat fruit, simply add raspberries to the dish.  They taste great and the person won't even think about the fact that they are eating fruit.  Some of the food dishes that raspberries can be used in include:

• They can be made into sauces (for poultry or desserts), jams or jellies.
• They can be eaten fresh, either plain or on top of food choices such as yogurt, ice cream, cereal or salads.
• They can be baked in pies, cakes, breads or muffins.
• They can be in drinks, such as smoothies or punches.

Myths From Around The World

Raspberries are sold and produced throughout the world, which has given rise to myths about why raspberries are red and even one myth about the magical qualities of the fruit.

One popular myth comes from France, which tells the story about how raspberries use to be only white in colour.  The myth states that one day, a nymph named Ida was taking care of an Infant Zeus (also referred to as Jupiter).  Zeus was crying and to help soothe him, Ida picked some white raspberries.  But when she went to pick the raspberries, she scratched herself on a thorn and started to bleed.  Her blood dripped on the white raspberries, instantly turning them red and they have been red ever since.

Another myth, which originates from Germany, talks about the magical qualities of raspberries.  It states that to tame a bewitched horse, one would have to tie a wild raspberry twig around the horse's body.

Finally, a modern myth tells the story of how raspberries turned a fox's fur red.  In the Tale of the Raspberry Fox, by Henning Buchhagen, there is a fox named Ferdinand.  At that time, all foxes were grey in colour.  The tale tells how Ferdinand didn't like to eat meat, so one day he decided to eat some raspberries and discovered that he loved eating them.  He kept eating raspberries and the more he ate, the redder his fur became.  Ever since then, all foxes have had red fur and like to eat fruit.

Interesting Facts About Raspberries

Health Benefits of Eating Raspberries

Research findings by nutritionists from laboratories all round the world agree that there a lot of health benefits can be derived by eating raspberries. Don't go for raspberries which show signs of mold or mushy spots, but those which are ripe, firm, and colorful raspberries. They can be either fresh, canned or frozen. But take note. When frozen raspberries thaw, they may not be as firm as the fresh ones. They however remain sweet and delicious. To get the freshest raspberries, visit markets where farmers have stocked the berry which has just been harvested. This offers the best berries to boost your health. Here are some of the health benefits to be enjoyed by anyone who eat raspberries in its many forms.

Health Benefits of Eating Raspberries

Health Benefits of Eating Raspberries

---

Health Benefits of Eating Raspberries

Health Benefits of Eating Raspberries

Strengthened Immune System
Minerals such as Vitamin C are thought to help the body to develop strong connective tissues and an immune system able to ward off the attack of micro-organisms. Raspberries like other berries such as blueberries, cranberries, and strawberries contain a lot of Vitamin C in its structure. Nutritionists have said that one cup of raspberries offer humans beings Vitamin C as well as potassium for 64 calories.

Disease Prevention
Though raspberries themselves are not a cure-all berry , they contain a number of other substances which are thought to prevent many diseases. These substances include, but are not limited to, flavonoids and phytochemicals. Raspberries, along with berries such as blueberries, cranberries, and strawberries, also contain a substance thought to prevent bladder infections. The substance does this by preventing bacteria from adhering to the cells which line the walls of the urinary tract.

Healthy Vision
Raspberries are also thought to contain compounds which are important towards having a healthy vision. The substance that appears to be responsible for this is called lutein.

Researchers have identified a lot of compounds in berries such as raspberries, blueberries, cranberries, blackberries, and strawberries which may help in the reduction of the risk of being affected by several types of cancers and heart diseases. Though a definitive study hasn't been conducted on this, researchers counsel that a diet rich in berries can help to reduce or delay several types of cancers.

PigMent
Raspberries has a pigMent, which is thought to be responsible for their blue and red hue. The pigments are also believed to contain compounds which are the key components of the ability of raspberries to prevent the development of many types of diseases in humans.

Conclusion
Always eat a diet rich in raspberries and others with similar nutrition such as loganberries, currants, bilberries, and lingo berries. Serve them just as they are, or top them with a Dollop of light-whipped tripping. Add them to a whole grain, cereal, sprinkle them on a salad, stir them into vanilla yogurt, or combine them with banana and low-fat milk. Anyway you eat them, you are certain to enjoy immense health benefits from this wonderful plant which researchers are yet to totally unravel.

Health Benefits of Eating Raspberries

Alaskan Coyotes

Coyotes have a range of fur colors and thickness levels, which vary depending on how cold, or how warm it is where they live. The summer coat looks gray, along with tan on the belly area, muzzle, ears and lower legs. Many coyotes live in or near city areas close to human contact, which sometimes lead to problems for people. Coyotes are normally afraid of humans, however if they need Food, they will take their chances and go near a human to find a meal, which will give them courage to face humans all the time. Coyotes can live to 15 years old in the wild and their life span goes to 20 years in captivity.

Alaskan Coyotes

Alaskan Coyotes

---

Alaskan Coyotes

Alaskan Coyotes

Coyotes are found in many areas in North America and their population is increased in other areas due to the decreased population in the lower States. Coyotes in Alaska can be found on the Kenai Peninsula. They resemble a shepherd-collie dog that is about medium-sized but it has some distinctive features. A coyote has sharp pointed ears, which never droop, a nose that is sharp and pointed and a bushy tail. Its legs are slimmer and its feet are smaller than those of a dog; its overall body weight is 22 to 33 pounds, which is one-third the size of a wolf. All male coyotes are a bit heavier than females and a male coyote's height averages at 2 feet high at the shoulder, with its enTire body including the tail measures about 4 feet long.

When coyotes hunt in the wild, they are opportunistic, so they will eat whatever they find during their hunt. When they hunt prey, they go after deer, birds and small mammals, however they also eat berries when these prey are not around. Once a coyotes finds a large animal, it will use its speed to chase it. Coyotes are similar to foxes, both having great endurance, which helps coyotes to catch prey. Once the prey gets Tired from running, the coyote ambushes and eats the animal. Foxes and coyotes have another trait in common; whenever one of these animals catches smaller prey, it waits and pounces to capture the prey using its front feet. Coyotes hunt by themselves, in pAirs and in groups; they work together and chase prey using relay techniques for animals that can outrun a single coyote.

Coyotes have to Watch out when they are hunting, because other animals hunt them as well. Bald and golden eagles, wolfs, owls and bears prey on coyotes in the wild.

Coyotes are excellent runners, maybe the best of the canidae family. They can run at speeds similar to a car on the freeway reaching 30 miles per hour and sometimes 40 miles per hour. They are also good swimmers and jumpers and love to play with other coyotes.

Coyotes are smart animals that are found throughout Alaska; they hunt solo and sometimes in groups.

Alaskan Coyotes