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Raspberry Drink Business Takes Off
A Pickardville, Alberta couple has developed a new product and farm business by using the fruit and leaves of red raspberry bushes as the main ingredients in a new organic drink called, "Sips."
Roland and Coreen Rivard have so far produced 8,400 bottles of the cold "herbal tea" from last year's production of 2 1/
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Raspberry Drink Business Takes Off SPECIALTY/SERVICES 27-4-6 A Pickardville, Alberta couple has developed a new product and farm business by using the fruit and leaves of red raspberry bushes as the main ingredients in a new organic drink called, "Sips."
Roland and Coreen Rivard have so far produced 8,400 bottles of the cold "herbal tea" from last year's production of 2 1/2 acres of raspberry canes and 200 lbs. of purchased organic raspberries.
The began experimenting with their own raspberry drink recipes as a way to diversify their farm. It went so well, this year they also planted 4 1/2 more acres of raspberries.
The Rivards produce four drink flavors: Raspberry Lemon Balm, Raspberry Peppermint, Raspberry Oat, and a seasonal offering called Winterspice.
Their product contains no additives or preservatives and the drinks are low in fat, high in nutrients, and low in calories. With raspberry leaves as one of the main ingredients, the drinks are also high in anti-oxidants and are a good source of iron, magnesium and potassium.
The Rivards start harvesting the raspberries in early to mid-August and freeze them for later use. After the berries are picked they pull the leaves. Since raspberry canes die after bearing fruit, leaf removal is not harmful to the plants.
The Rivards dry the raspberry leaves in boxes inside their garage, with fans blowing on them. They also grow and harvest their own peppermint and lemon balm herbs.
The rest of the drink making process is done at the Food Processing Development Center in Leduc, Alberta, where the Rivards pay $500 per day to rent the necessary equipment and work with a food scientist.
The ingredients are simply placed in large steam kettles full of boiling water. A small amount of honey is added to the strained juice for sweetening and then it goes through an automated filling line.
The Rivards started marketing their "Sips" product in October of 2002, at Farmers' Markets. A number of stores now carry the product.
The raspberry drinks sell for $2.50 per 1/3-liter bottle or $27 (Canada) per dozen, plus shipping and handling.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Roland and Coreen Rivard, Quackgrass Organics, R.R. 1, Pickardville, Alberta, Canada T0G 1W0 (ph 780 349-8896; fax 780 349-8880; email: quackgrassorganics@telus.net).
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