Quick facts: Wake® raspberries

Raspberries with family in the USA and New Zealand

The Wake ® family of raspberries are developed by passionate raspberry enthusiasts. The Wake ® story began in Lynden, Washington with raspberry growers in pursuit of a better berry. That journey led the Northwest Plant Company to a partnership with Plant & Food Research and the development of a joint breeding programme, and the joint venture Pacific Berries, to deliver better berries.

The Wake® family incudes Wake®Field (‘Wakefield’) bred by Plant & Food Research in New Zealand and Wake®Haven (‘NN08002’) bred in the USA.

Using traditional breeding techniques, the Wake® breeding programme focuses on developing new varieties with the qualities important to growers, processors and consumers. Potential new raspberry varieties go through a rigorous evaluation process before they can reach the status of a Wake® variety.

Good for growers

Wake® raspberries are tolerant to raspberry bushy dwarf virus and Wake®Field is also tolerant to root rot caused by Phytophthora. Wake® varieties are high yielding and have the perfect characteristics for machine harvesting, which is more efficient for growers.

Wake® raspberries account for more than 50% of raspberry plant sales in Washington State, the centre of the USA’s frozen raspberry sector. Wake® raspberries are also grown in New Zealand, Australia, South America and Europe.

Great for consumers

Wake® raspberries are full of flavour and have high concentrations of compounds known to be good for health, like anthocyanins, vitamin C, dietary fibre and folate. They’re also perfect for Individually Quick Frozen processing, holding their shape in the freezer for year-round eating.

An ancient past

Wake® raspberries are varieties of European red raspberry. European red raspberries are indigenous to Asia Minor. Their Latin name, Rubus idaeus, is linked to the mythological tale of a raspberry bush appearing on Mount Ida in Turkey (then Troy), and they were said to be a favourite of the gods of Olympus, particularly Zeus. Raspberry seeds were spread by the ancient Romans across the Roman Empire.

Another species of red raspberry, Rubus strigosus, also exists, found in northern regions of North America and northeast Asia.

Raspberry leaves were traditionally used to prepare women for childbirth, aiding in delivery and breastfeeding. They were also used as a remedy for common ailments, such as stomach and throat problems.