How To Remove Raspberry Seeds

Raspberry seeds are small and gritty. They tend to get stuck between the teeth and some people want to remove the seeds before using the raspberries in jams or other recipes. This process of removing the seeds may require multiple attempts, but is well worth the chore. According to U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity, or ORAC, for raspberries is high, rated excellent. The ORAC score is a measurement of antioxidants in certain foods. Further, raspberries are a good source of fiber, manganese and vitamins A and C.

Step 1

Add 1/2 cup of water and 1 cup of raspberries to a pot. Heat the berries on the stove for five minutes, mashing the berries with a potato masher or spoon as they warm up. The heat and mashing help separate the raspberries seeds from fruit.

Step 2

Place cheesecloth or a metal sieve over a bowl or jar. The cheesecloth and metal sieve work as strainers, further separating the raspberries from the seeds. Pour the berries from the pot onto the cheesecloth or metal sieve.

Step 3

Use a spoon to mash the raspberries on the cheesecloth or sieve so the juice and pulp passes through the cloth or sieve. The seeds in the raspberries remain on the cheesecloth or sieve, while the seedless raspberries settle into the bowl or jar. Some seeds may still pass through.

Step 4

Rinse the cheesecloth and sieve with warm water to wash off the raspberries seeds. Take the raspberries in the bowl or jar and inspect for raspberry seeds. If the consistency is acceptable to you, then eat the raspberries or use them in your recipes. If you still have gritty seeds in the bowl or jar, repeat the process of mashing them through the cheesecloth or sieve. You won't need to reheat the berries again.

Tips and Warnings

Use organic, freshly picked raspberries. Picked raspberries have reached their full pinnacle of flavor, unlike store-bought raspberries, says Rachael Saunders, author of "The Blue Chair Jam Cookbook." Saunders also recommends eating or preparing your raspberries in recipes within hours after picking them to prevent the withering of the delicate fruit.
Some people cannot enjoy the fruits of their labors and must avoid eating raspberries. According to RD411.com, a dietitian resource for health professionals, raspberries and over-ripened fruit may cause food and drug interactions when taken with MAOI inhibitors.