National Raspberries n’ Cream Day – August 7, 2024

History of National Raspberries n’ Cream Day

Red raspberries, which have existed throughout Europe for centuries, are believed to have originated from Turkey and spread throughout Mediterranean Europe. Fourth-century writings of the Roman agriculturist, Palladius, contained records of the domestication of raspberries. Following the discovery of raspberry seeds at Roman forts in Britain, it’s believed that the Romans spread their cultivation throughout Europe.

Wild berries were considered medicinal and decorative in Medieval Europe; the juice served as paint in art and ink for manuscripts. During this period, only the rich could savor their tasty bounty. King Edward I (1272 to 1307) was the first person to call for the cultivation of berries. By the 17th century, British gardens had a rich yield of berries and berry bushes. One century later, in Europe, berry cultivation practices had spread.

By the time Europeans arrived in America, Native Americans were already utilizing and eating berries. Native Americans were nomads; thus, they dried berries to preserve and transport them easily. Europeans also brought raspberries that were native to Europe with them to the new colonies. In 1771, William Price sold the first commercial nursery plants. George Washington moved to Mount Vernon, where he began to cultivate berries in his extensive gardens in 1761. By 1867, over 40 different varieties of raspberries became known. After the Civil War, major production areas emerged in the regions of New York, Michigan, Oregon, Washington, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, and Indiana. Approximately 2,000 acres were in cultivation by 1880.