Raspberries Come in a Variety of Processed Forms
Washington’s raspberry growers and processors harvest their berries at the peak of perfection and then process them into several different forms which come to the table in an amazing variety of products.
Raspberries are processed for the retail (consumer) market, for the foodservice market and for the industrial/ingredient market.
Individually Quick Frozen (IQF)
These are the choicest whole raspberries. Each perfect berry is individually quick frozen in a tunnel at temperatures between -5° to -10° Fahrenheit (-20-23° Celsius). Quick freezing seals in juices and flavor and maintains the original shape of each berry.
For consumers, IQF red raspberries are packed in poly bags and sealed in corrugated fiber cartons to protect them as the move from farm to supermarket. Retail packs of IQF berries are in 12-, 16- or 32-ounce poly bags. There are several food-service pack styles including 2 x 5# bags per case. IQF berries are typically packed in 20# cases to minimize fruit damage in transit.
Block Frozen Raspberries
Block frozen red raspberries are frozen in their own juices and then packed in 6.5 pound or 4 gallon plastic pails or in 50 gallon drums lined with poly liners. These berries may be unsweetened (straight pack) or with a range of sugar or syrup sweetening levels. Block frozen raspberries are used in preserves, pies, snacks, dairy applications and a variety of other foods.
Frozen Raspberry Puree
Red raspberry puree is produced by passing berries through a sieve to remove the seeds and make a smooth mixture. The size of the sieve (screen) used determines the fineness of the puree and the amount of seed removed. Puree may be heated for pasteurization before being frozen at -5°F. Most common puree packs are 6.5 pounds and 4 gallon plastic containers and 50 gallon drums. Puree is often custom-packed in quart and gallon sizes and is also available in concentrated form. Purees are used in a wide variety of toppings, desserts, bar drinks and baked goods. Single strength puree has 8° to 15° Brix. Puree concentrate is 20° to 28° Brix
Raspberry Concentrate
First juice is extracted from the berries, then filtered and heated. The high temperature allows the flavor and aroma (essence) to be distilled from the concentrate. Concentrate is available as concentrate, as concentrate with essence added or simply the essence. Concentrate is used in juice blends. Single strength juice is 9.2 Brix Juice concentrate is 45° , 65° , and 68˚ Brix
Dehydrated Raspberries
Raspberries are dehydrated by traditional dehydrating methods, freeze drying, or a newer method of microwave drying of the berries to use as whole berries, powders or other methods to use in cereals or other food items, and pharmaceuticals.
For a list of Washington’s processors, and their products, please CLICK HERE. Each of these producers has specific information about their products.
