Raspberry Shrub

vegan · gluten free  · non GMO

Background: Raspberries grow everywhere in upstate NY.  Finding enough in one place to do the trick is the issue. Having said that, NYS raspberries are really bold, deep in flavor and make stupendous shrubs.  We have several growers that handpick our delightful little buddies. We use almost exclusively late season ripeners that are still setting in October. Talk about a second season!  Cooler weather allows for a full development of flavor and healthful flavonoids as well. The best come from the Hall/Stanley area of Seneca Lake but we are now seeing hilltop berries that match this flavor.  

If you are a re-enactor or like the colonial village museums you will likely find raspberry shrubs being made on site -Williamsburg VA, Genesee Valley Country Museum in NY, Strawberry Bank in NH. There are some 17th century cuisines restaurants in PA that have theirs on the menus. When cold extracted it’s like eating the berries directly and so good for you.   

Health: Raspberries are low in calories, high in fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. Studies show they help in managing diabetes, cancer, obesity, arthritis and may even provide anti-aging effects. Raspberry shrub is easy to add to your diet and make a tasty addition to any meal all day long. It also has strong antihistamine effects and has been reported to help with managing asthma.  We leave a good amount of water soluble pectin in the shrub to give your ACV probiotics something to munch on. We harvest at full ripeness which, according to one study, means that the polyphenols are developed as much as 50 to 90% percent higher than unripened fruit. 

Also.  It is well established that raspberries contain a raspberry ketone called rheosmin that increases enzyme activity, oxygen consumption, and heat production in certain types of fat cells. In addition to these benefits, rheosmin can decrease activity of a fat-digesting enzyme released by our pancreas called pancreatic lipase. This decrease in enzyme activity may result in less digestion and absorption of fat. Still more research needs to be done.  It is one of our super fruits and if extracted correctly, can be a great aid to robust health.  

 
Uses: As a condiment or salad dressing Raspberry shrub will stand up to the darker greens and strong squashes.  There are multiple colonial shrub punches that still can be found in old cookbooks that rely on raspberry shrub. Raspberries are sometimes referred to as the goldilocks fruit, not too sweet not to tart.  As a water flavor it is unparalleled.  As a medicinal, take in tea or pour one ounce in 8 ounces of water.