Raspberry leaves come from the raspberry plant (Rubus idaeus), a popular and widely grown plant in gardens and natural habitats. The raspberry leaves are an important part of this plant and have their own unique characteristics. The leaves of the raspberry plant are usually dark green and have a typical three-lobed shape. The leaf structure is slightly serrated and soft, with a slightly hairy surface. The raspberry leaves grow along the stems of the plant. Raspberry leaves can be prepared in many different ways to make the most of their taste and aromas. Dried raspberry leaves are particularly good in salads, whether as a pure herb in the salad itself or in the salad dressings. The dried raspberry leaves can be chopped or even powdered. If the dried raspberry leaves are marinated in oil, they can be made into a pesto after a few days with other herbs such as rocket, garlic, roasted pine nuts and parmesan. The raspberry leaf pesto can then be used as a spread on bread, in pasta dishes or as a dip.
Use of raspberry leaves:
One of the most popular and easiest preparation methods is making raspberry leaf tea. To do this, put one to two teaspoons of dried raspberry leaves in a cup and pour boiling water over them. The raspberry leaf tea should then be left to brew for about 5-10 minutes, depending on the desired strength. The raspberry leaf tea can either be enjoyed pure or sweetened as desired and refined with lemon.
Storage:
Raspberry leaves should be stored dry and ideally airtight to retain their intense aroma for a particularly long time.
