Raspberry
Pagès uses Raspberry leaves and Raspberry in several of its products. The Raspberry bush is a perennial plant that is easily found in France countryside.
The Raspberry bush, a common plant, fruits with an exquisite taste
Origins of raspberry
The Raspberry bush is native to the entire northern hemisphere. This plant has a rich history and is linked to several legends.
The most famous is that of the Greek gods, it explains the color of the most common variety of Raspberries. Raspberry was, according to legend, a white fruit. It is said that the Raspberry bush appeared on the slopes of Mount Ida, in Crete, and was quickly highly prized by the gods of Olympus. The nymph Ida, daughter of the King of Crete and nurse of Zeus, apparently wanted to pick a Raspberry from the mountain on which the fruit was growing to calm Zeus' sorrow. When she was picking, Ida pricked her breast with the raspberry thorns. Her blood tinted the fruits bright red and the white Raspberry became red for all eternity.
The botanical name of the plant refers to Mount Ida: "Rubus idaes" literally means "the round of Ida".
During the Renaissance, Raspberry, the fruit of the Raspberry bush, made its way into the gardens of the French. However, the fruit was not consumed until a few years later, in the 19th century. In the meantime, raspberries were used for their fruity and delicate aroma and for their medicinal properties.
Although the first Raspberries were cultivated in the Middle Ages, their commercial cultivation did not develop until the 1950s in France. This fruit was then selected for several years to be more robust and prolific for sale.
Characteristics of raspberry
Name: Rubus idaeus
Family: Rosaceae
Species: Perennial plant
The Raspberry bush is part of the bramble family.
It can reach up to two metres in height. The natural habitat of Raspberry is mainly located in the mountainous undergrowth, below 1,500 metres above sea level. However, it is also found on the plain. It is observed that Raspberry is associated with other plants such as Beech, Sorbidge or Elderberry. In France, it is easily developed in the Auvergne Rhône-Alpes, Limousin, Loir-et-Cher and Paris regions. In Auvergne, Raspberry is very common in forest massifs.
This plant needs a light soil, rich in humus and partial sunshine. Planted in autumn, the Raspberry bush flowers from May to October depending on its type. Its fruits are harvested at the end of the summer.
The stems of the Raspberry bush are lined with fine stings bearing large leaves divided into toothed, whitish leaflets on their underside. The white flowers of the Raspberry bush produce fruits composed of small drupes gorged with purple nectar.
There are more than 200 species of Raspberry bushes. You can find bright red, orange, amber, yellow, purple and white Raspberries! The bright red Raspberry is the most common and most cultivated species in Europe.
Uses of raspberry
Raspberry bush can be used for its leaves, fruits and flowers. It is used in many forms and for many purposes.
Raspberry leaves are often used by people who want to remove certain toxins from their bodies. They are also recommended for pregnant women as they approach childbirth.
Raspberry is obviously an essential ingredient in the culinary arts. It is mainly found in sweet recipes: desserts, syrups, soups, cakes, cookies, juices... Raspberry goes well with many flavours. Raspberry is also eaten in salty dishes. It goes well with certain fish such as salmon or with meat with a strong taste such as duck.
Benefits of raspberry
The Raspberry bush once had a great reputation from a medical point of view. At the time of Molière, it was believed that the crushed leaves of Raspberry bush on the epigastrium, the upper and middle region of the abdomen, were sufficient to cure stomach aches.
Today, Raspberry leaves are considered to have the same properties as burr or Strawberry leaves. They are diuretic and can help with lots of problems.
Raspberry provides many vitamins to the body. This fruit is also rich in water, it helps to boost intestinal transit.
The detox effect os its leaves is also well-known.
