Fresh or frozen, raspberries are versatile as a topping for salads, cereals and desserts, as well as in smoothies, vinaigrettes, sauces and drinks

Low in calories but high in fibre, and packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, raspberries are a fresh fruit powerhouse. Research shows they may protect against diabetes, cancer, obesity, arthritis and other conditions and may even provide anti-aging effects. Raspberries are easy to add to your diet and make a tasty addition to breakfast, lunch, dinner or dessert. Check out these fruity facts and shop a variety of raspberry-packed products at Choithrams.com

1. During the first year of life, a raspberry plants develops only one stem, which grows up to 1.8m in height. Plant begin to spread horizontally and produce side branches during the second year.
2. Botanically speaking, the raspberry fruit belongs to the group of aggregate fruit. A raspberry is cylindrically-shaped, ruby red in colour and has a sweet taste.

Raspberries, Europe; AED24.50 each

3. Each raspberry consists of around 100 individual tiny fruits, called drupelets, each filled with one seed. They are arranged in a shape of a helmet around centrally positioned small stem.

4. When ripe raspberries are harvested the stem remains on the mother plant, leaving the hole in the middle of the fruit.

Tesco Finest Raspberry Conserve 340g; 11.50 each

5. Raspberries can be red, purple, golden and black in colour, depending on the variety.

6.One plant can produce up to a few hundred raspberries per year.

7. Raspberries are an excellent source of dietary fibres, vitamins C, E and B9 (folic acid) and minerals such as manganese and magnesium.

Rachel's Organic Luscious  Raspberry Yogurt 150g; AED12.50 each

8. Raspberries can be consumed fresh or as an ingredient in breakfast cereals, ice-creams, milkshakes and various cakes, juices, jams and jellies.

9. Phytonutrients from the raspberries can be effective in treatment of the high blood pressure and inflammation of the joints. They also act beneficially on the function of liver.

Biotiful Dairy Raspberry Kefir 250ml; AED 17.75 each

10. Raspberry ketone, a compound isolated from the raspberry, is used in the cosmetic industry for the production of shampoos, lotions, creams and perfumes.

11. Russia is the greatest manufacturer of raspberries in the world. It produces 125,000 tons of raspberries per year.

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12. The root of a raspberry plant can survive up to 10 years. However, the stem is biennial, which means it dies after two years and gets replaced with new one.