Raspberry Juice: Comb of Taste and Medicinal Properties

Nature gives us an abundance of vitamins that grow in forests and gardens. Raspberries are one of nature’s most precious treasures. It is a typical plant in many forestry regions. Also, it has a long tradition of cultivation and harvesting. The raspberry harvest begins in the second half of summer and, depending on the variety, can last until frost. You can eat these natural vitamins in the summer and stock them up for the winter. One option for consuming these berries is to make raspberry juice. This is an aromatic, pleasant-tasting, low-calorie, and beneficial drink that anyone can prepare. Read more about the benefits of raspberry juice, its preparation, storage, and consumption in this article.

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Raspberries Are Low in Calories but Highly Nutritious

The nutritional value of raspberries is not only rich but also well-balanced. Most importantly, raspberries are delicious and sweet but extremely low in calories. You can savor them instead as a as a dessert or snack.

One cup (or 123 grams) of raspberries contains only 64 calories, 14.7 grams of carbohydrates, 1.5 grams of protein, and 0.8 grams of fat. However, a serving of raspberries of this size contains 8 grams of fiber, which is as much as 32% of the recommended daily intake for women and 21% for men.

Raspberries are rich in vitamins. Vitamin C is the most abundant, accounting for 54% of the recommended daily intake, and vitamins A, E, K, and B.

Eating these berries will also provide us with a variety of minerals. Manganese is the most abundant, as are iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, copper, and zinc.

Health Benefits of Raspberry Juice

Raspberries have been used in folk medicine since ancient times. Almost all parts of the plant, from the berries to the leaves and stems, are used for medicinal purposes. To this day, people commonly use raspberry tea to treat colds. Scientists also study raspberries’ healing properties, and the results of their research confirm many folk medicine claims.

Raspberry juice is particularly beneficial because of the rich antioxidant compounds it contains. Compared to other berries, raspberries contain a similar amount of antioxidants as strawberries but half as much as blackberries and a quarter less than blueberries. The antioxidant properties of raspberries contribute to their anti-inflammatory properties. They reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, obesity, and cancer.

Research evidence suggests that raspberry juice has these health benefits:

Raspberry juice is reasonable for diabetics. The high fiber and tannin content helps control blood sugar levels.
The high levels of antioxidants in raspberry juice may help prevent cancer. One in vitro study showed that red raspberry extract kills up to 90% of stomach, colon, and breast cancer cells.
Raspberry juice has anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce arthritis symptoms.
The antioxidant zeaxanthin, which is present in raspberry juice, protects the eyes from harmful blue light rays. This is particularly important for the prevention of age-related macular degeneration.

Raspberry Juice: The Elixir of Beauty and Youth

There are at least two reasons why raspberry juice helps preserve beauty and youth.

First, its low-calorie content makes it suitable for people who are losing weight and want to keep a slim body. The natural chemicals in raspberries also contribute to more effective weight loss. In addition, the natural sweetness of raspberry juice can help satisfy the need for sweets. It acts as an ‘innocent’ treat.

Secondly, thanks to its powerful antioxidant effect, raspberry juice helps to delay the body’s aging process. The vitamin C in raspberries is essential for skin health. It helps to improve collagen production and reverse UV damage to the skin.

Homemade Raspberry Juice, for Both Quick Consumption and Long Storage

When the baskets are full of fragrant raspberries, let’s not wait to use them for our health. Raspberries are perishable and should be processed immediately. What can you do with fresh raspberries? Options include eating fresh berries, making jams and jellies, or making homemade raspberry juice.

There are three main ways to make raspberry juice. One is freshly squeezed juice and consumed immediately; the other two are the preparation of a winter reserve.

Freshly squeezed raspberry juice can be prepared for breakfast or as a daytime treat. The flavor of this juice can be varied by mixing it with other berry or fruit juices. Raspberry juice can be pasteurized or frozen for winter supplies.

Fresh Raspberry Juice: How to Prepare and Consume It?

Preparing a glass of freshly squeezed raspberry juice is easy. A few minutes will give you a dose of minerals and vitamins. So it’s definitely worth it!

To make fresh raspberry juice, you will need:

Fresh (or frozen, defrosted) raspberries
Water (if you prefer a less concentrated juice)
A little lemon juice

There are at least three ways to squeeze the raspberry juice: with a juicer, a cocktail shaker, or by hand. We will discuss these methods in more detail below.

While using a juicer, add the berries to the appliance. The juicer will do all the work: squeeze the juice and separate the pulp. Just pour it into a glass, add a little lemon juice and water (if using), stir well, and drink.
If you use a cocktail shaker, add all the ingredients to the device and shake until smooth. Pour the prepared juice into a glass through a strainer.
Use a cheesecloth bag to squeeze the raspberry juice by hand. Transfer the berries to the mesh or bag and, holding them over a large bowl, squeeze vigorously to extract as much juice as possible. Season the extracted juice with lemon juice, dilute it with water if necessary, and drink.

Noteworthy: Consume the freshly squeezed juice immediately. Fresh raspberry juice oxidizes and loses many of its valuable properties. Be sure to refrigerate any leftover juice, but do not keep it for more than a day.

Pasteurized Raspberry Juice for The Winter

Pasteurization is a method of preserving fruit and berry juices, discovered in the second half of the 19th century, that prevents them from curdling and preserves them for a long time. The essence of this method is the heating of the juice. Although heating kills or alters some valuable substances in the berries, it is sometimes the only way to prepare the juices for winter. Pasteurization also uses sugar, which acts as a preservative in this case. This does not add to the nutritional value of the juice, either. Pasteurized juice is a concentrate that is preferably used as an ingredient in other beverages or consumed diluted.

To prepare the juice for winter, you will need fresh raspberry juice and about half as much sugar. The sugar can be reduced at your discretion, but try adding other preservatives, such as lemon juice, or using extremely sterile, prepared, and tightly sealed containers.

Preparation:

Pour the juice and sugar into a saucepan and heat until boiling.
Switch off the heat, strain the juice, and pour it, still hot, into the prepared container.
Leave the glasses to cool to room temperature, covered with a towel.
Once the juice has cooled, stand it in a cool, dark storeroom or basement.

Raspberry Juice as An Old Gastronomic Tradition

The recipe for raspberry juice was known as early as the second half of the 16th century. However, this drink was more like raspberry syrup because it was made with a lot of sugar. This fact shows that raspberry juice was a product exclusively available to the nobility at that time.

The gastronomic book published in the 19th century also describes a recipe for raspberry juice. According to the proportions of raspberries and sugar, this juice is syrup. This states to use juice for making tea or refreshments. In other words, it is suggested not to consume it pure but as an ingredient for various drinks.

This is how some of the recipe authors recommend preparing raspberry juice:

Place the well-ripened raspberries in a cheesecloth bag and squeeze them into a bowl.
Leave the cheesecloth bag hanging over the bowl until the juice is completely drained.
For 1 glass of juice, use 1.5 glasses of sugar, place in a saucepan, and boil until there is no more juice left than there was without adding sugar.
Cool and pour into clean, airtight jars.

Frozen Raspberry Stocks

Freezing is a healthier alternative to preparing raspberry juice. Moreover, this method requires almost no extra effort. Just remember a few basic rules, and you can have fresh raspberry juice all year round.

Refrigerate raspberry juice in plastic bottles.
It is best to freeze the juice in individual portions, which can be thawed immediately.
You can freeze raspberry juice ice cream containers. This method lets you obtain raspberry ice cream for a hot summer day.
Frozen raspberry juice in ice cube trays will be an alternative to regular ice cubes to chill your favorite drink and add flavor.

Raspberry, Strawberry, and Pear Juice Cocktail for The Sweet Tooth

Raspberries are berries that are delicious for the sweet tooth persons. They are naturally sweet, almost acid-free, and have a pleasant taste and aroma. You can make a fragrant, delicious cocktail with raspberries, strawberries, and pear juice.

You need:

1 large, ripe pear
0.5 cup fresh raspberries
0.5 cup fresh strawberries
1 cup of water
0,5 lemon juice

Preparation:

Wash, peel, and cut the pear into small cubes.
Place the pears, raspberries, and strawberries in a cocktail shaker, add the water, and squeeze the lemon juice.
Blend until smooth.
Strain through a sieve and serve.

This smoothie can take on a completely different flavor with cow’s or plant milk instead of water. It will give you a creamy, fruity milk cocktail.

If you want a cold cocktail, use ice cubes when serving. Frozen raspberry juice ice cubes are ideal!

Raspberry Juice Side Effects

There is no reliable data on the side effects of raspberry juice. However, it is not advisable to abuse it. Like many fruit or berry juices, immoderate consumption can cause unpleasant symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea, and bloating.

This juice may cause unpleasant reactions for allergic people, such as itching of the palms, flushing of the skin, and shortness of breath. If you experience such symptoms, you must seek medical attention to avoid life-threatening allergic reactions.

Pregnant and breastfeeding women may also experience adverse effects from raspberry juice. Although there is no reliable data on this issue, women should use raspberry juice in moderation during this period.

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Raspberry Juice: Combination of Taste and Medicinal Properties. How to Prepare and Consume It All Year?