(Rubus Idaeus)
Named after a tourist village on Vancouver Island, Chemanius raspberries follow in the Pacific Agri-Food Research Centre tradition of naming their berry cultivars after First Nations communities. Bred by Chaim Kempler of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in Agassiz, British Columbia, the same researcher who released the popular Stolo strawberry, Chemanius raspberries are suited to processing and as fresh eating berries. They are among the new wave of berries that extend the harvest with delicious fruit. Ready for harvest mid-summer, this vigorous cultivar establishes itself quickly upon planting, producing large yields.
Winter-hardy and mildly disease resistant, Chemainus raspberries have a taste that balances sweet and sour. Their consistent, attractive appearance and firm fruit allow for successful mechanical harvesting. Try them fresh on top of these Raspberry Cream Cupcakes or as a marinade for Grilled Salmon with Dijon-Raspberry Vinaigrette.
The many qualities of this cultivar have posited it as a replacement for Meeker raspberries, which is the current dominant breed.
Image courtesy of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.
