BerriHealth - Novermber 2010
What's New in November?

As we approach the winter season and the holidays, the berry season has all but ended.  Luckily for us, that means we are just getting started freeze-drying and packaging the latest shipments of black raspberries here at BerriHealth. Unlike fresh berries, freeze-dried berries and our berry powder can last for years on the shelf.  We can also easily ship our products to any location on the globe without you having to worry about dry ice not lasting or the package sitting out on your doorstep for too long. Even better is that you get well over one pound of fresh black raspberries in every 100 gram package of freeze dried black raspberries.  That wouldn't be so easy to fit into your freezer or carry with you on the go.
 

Upcoming Packaging Update
Speaking of on the go: we are proud to let everyone know that upgraded packaging for all of our products is just starting to be implemented.  All of our 100 gram packages will now be in stand-up pouches with an easy-tear top and will also be resealable with a built-in zip-lock.  They are made from a top-of-the-line multilayer material that works as an excellent barrier for oxygen and moisture.  It also has an external polyester layer to provide protection from tearing and punctures.  Our new packaging will make our product extremely easy to use and store and we are looking forward to getting it out to our customers starting at the end of November.

New Product Offerings
We will also be bringing some new products to our website for the holidays.  We will have 3-packs of jams and syrups from Sturm's Berry Farm.  They are made with high-quality berries in a variety of flavors (including black raspberry).  They are made with only a few ingredients and make for great gifts.  Make sure to check out our products page and take a look at some of the new products that are available.


In Depth: Why are our freeze-dried berries so special?
Our USDA Grade A black raspberries are sourced from family owned farms right here in Oregon.  They are freeze-dried in a FDA certified facility nearby and then are vacuum-sealed and stored in a controlled environment to make sure there is minimal loss of the beneficial compounds that make black raspberries so unique.

Not only that, but our berries have undergone extensive testing and are currently being used in phase II clinical trials at a research university in the United States.

 
Questions of the Week
Are my berries frozen? What is freeze-drying anyway?
Our freeze-dried black raspberry products aren't actually frozen! During the freeze-drying process, through a process called sublimation, almost all the water in the berries goes from a solid state to a gas. This allows us to remove the water while preserving the nutritional portions of the berry. It also gives our black raspberry products a very long shelf-life without using any preservatives.

How should I store my freeze-dried black raspberries/black raspberry powder after opening it?
Before opening, you can store your black raspberries in a cool dry place like your pantry.  After opening, we recommend that you use a bag clip to close the top of the bag and store it in your freezer.  This is to prevent moisture from re-hydrating the freeze-dried berries and limit their exposure to oxygen.


How do you Use Your Freeze-Dried Black Raspberries?
"My favorite way of eating my freeze-dried black raspberry powder is to sprinkle it on my yogurt in the morning.  It's easy and tastes great."
       -Linda, Oregon


Latest Research
This month we want to share with you a collection of research articles we've put together through the NIH Pubmed service.  It has a variety of studies done on black raspberries and we think you'll find it very informative.
Link here