[2] Raspberry season spans from late spring through early fall in the U.S., with the peak harvest typically occurring in June through September (photos #2 and #4 © Good Eggs).

[3] Black raspberries can have a more intense and often sweeter flavor profile than the more common red variety. They are also known for rich, earthy, and sometimes woodsy notes (photo © Oregon Berries).

Raspberries are a delicious food, a beautiful food, and equally important, a very healthy food: high in potassium, vitamins A & C and fiber, with no fat, cholesterol or sodium (in fact, they can lower blood cholesterol levels and are a diabetic-friendly food). They’re a good source of iron and folate.

And raspberries are an antioxidant-rich food. They contain ellagic acid, a polyphenol antioxidant also found in blackberries, cranberries, pecans, pomegranates, raspberries, strawberries, walnuts and other foods.

Everyone has seen red raspberries; but there are also black, gold and purple and gold varieties.

The only gripe we have with raspberries is that they’re fragile: easy to crush and easy to spoil (and reasons why they can be costly). They quickly attract a white mold at room temperature and even after two days in the fridge.

Pop them into the fridge as soon as you bring them home. Never wash berries until you’re ready to use them.

If you realize you won’t be using them, raspberries freeze easily. To prepare for freezing, just wash, pat dry and put them in a freezer bag, squeezing out the air.

Browse raspberry recipes and make something new. You can start with the Frozen Raspberry Soufflé recipe below.

And be sure to use them as a Valentine’s Day garnish, for both savory and sweet dishes.

> 25+ yummy raspberry recipes.

> The year’s 7 raspberry holidays.

> The year’s 80 fruit holidays.

> The history of raspberries.
 

[4] Golden raspberries are generally sweeter, with a more delicate and floral flavor. They still taste like raspberries, but may have notes of honey or apricots.

CHECK OUT WHAT’S HAPPENING ON OUR HOME PAGE, THENIBBLE.COM.

It’s a frozen version of an Italian meringue, a soft meringue (beaten egg whites) that has been cooked by slowly pouring hot sugar syrup over it instead of sweetening with granulated sugar. There is also an eggier style of frozen soufflé, based on a Bavarian cream, that cooks the egg yolks with sugar.

For a special Valentine’s Day dessert, it’s easy to make individual Frozen Raspberry Soufflés. Use frozen raspberries to keep the cost down and save the fresh raspberries for garnish. (The dish is not named for the frozen raspberries, but because it’s a frozen soufflé.)

• Get the recipe.
• Find more of our favorite dessert recipes.

A frozen soufflé is a perfect Valentine’s Day
dessert. Photo courtesy Oregon-Berries.com.

A bright red Peartini. Photo courtesy Grey Goose.

• Cherry Martini and a Cherry Mojito
• Cosmopolitan with cardamom and rose syrup
• Crantini
• Love Potion Cocktail with cranberry juice
• Pear Vodka Cocktails
• Pink Tequila Cocktails
• Pomegranate Sangria

Keep checking for more Valentine’s Day cocktails.

• Each piece of Anna Shea Chocolate is a miniature work of art. The chocolates are designed to please someone with an eye (and palate) for beauty. But they’re not elitist: They’ll delight the chocolate connoisseur as well as the teenager. The boxes, in pink fabric or crocodile-stamped red leather, are keepers.
• Chocolate Malts is a masculine counterpart: handsome chocolates filled with single malt Scotch-infused chocolate ganache. The Scotches represent almost every region of Scotland; and yes, they’re delicious with a glass of Scotch. In a gold box with a plaid ribbon, they’re a treat for any Scotch lover.
• Whiskey 101: Understanding the different types of whiskey.
• Look up terms in our Whiskey Glossary.

Pretty in pink from Anna Shea.
Photo courtesy Anna Shea Chocolates.

• Pairing peaty Scotch and chocolate, plus conducting a tasting party.

Garnish with a strawberry heart. Photo
courtesy Peligroso Tequila.

Heart shapes make great garnishes for Valentine’s Day.

Whether you’re serving cocktails, mocktails, sparkling or plain water, a strawberry heart garnish spreads the love.

Peligroso Tequila wants to spread the love with a Peligroso Liquid Love cocktail. Peligroso means “dangerous” in Spanish. If you’d like a less strong cocktail, use 1 part each of tequila, cranberry juice and orange juice.

Ingredients
Per cocktail:

• 2 parts reposado tequila
• A splash of each of cranberry juice and orange juice
• Orange wheel and strawberry heart for garnish
• Ice cubes (make heart-shape ice cubes)

If your sliced strawberries don’t look sufficiently “heart-y,” use a paring knife to shape the top.