Freeze storage of raspberries

[itsa10]

Is there an ideal method to preserve raspberries by freezing?

This season we did not wash our fall raspberries prior to freezing for preservation.  We used plastic freezer bags and removed as much air from the bags after filling by sucking out the air from a small opening left in the extreme corner of the bag and sealed the bag as well as possible without allowing the bag to refill with air.  Subjectively, I am of the opinion that the quality of the stored fruit is much better than what we have experienced in past years when we wash the berries, dried the berries by spreading them on layers of paper towels, and made no special effort to remove air from the freezer bagged fruit.

I wonder if a greater effort to remove air (oxygen) using a vacuum pump would offer additional benefit?  Is an apparatus available for the home gardener that could flush the filled bag with carbon dioxide and the apply a vacuum and seal the bag?

We initially freeze the ripe clean berries on trays having a single layer of berries.  It is these quick frozen berries that are bagged, sealed, and stored.

[Berryman]

Food safety is the number 1 issue. I know it is safer to wash the berries first.
However, for my own use, I freeze freshly picked berries without washing them.
I understand the risk is low and I take a chance so I can eat nicer berries later.

I have used vacume baggers for meats and know it would keep the berries the best. Personally, I don't think it is worth the effort or expense. That is my opinion.

Watch for information in the following sites.
The Raspberry association  www.raspberryblackberry.com
The Strawberry association www.nasga.org
The National Berry Crops Iniative  http://www.nationalberrycrops.org/
The Berry Health Symposium  http://www.berryhealth.org/

Thank you for asking!