Why Do Raspberries And Blueberries Have Black Sheets Under Them, But Not Strawberries Or Grapes?

It’s amazing how much of everyday life I didn’t question for years – like what “wi-fi” really means , where we get paprika from , and what ASDA actually stands for . And opening my fridge this afternoon, another banal mystery confronted me. What’s that squidgy black mat at the bottom of raspberry trays for, and why isn’t it in the bottom of my strawberry tray? It seems I’m not alone. Posting to r/NoStupidQuestions , Redditor u/GrumpyOldSophon asked about the addition, wondering why you “never find this in packages of blueberries or strawberries”. The sheet is absorbent, but it may have other qualities It probably won’t shock you to learn that the sheet is there to absorb some moisture. Packaging specialists Packaging World described these sheets as “dual ply absorbent” material, “applied to a totally absorbent, yet sealed, topcoat”. They’re designed for softer fruits, like raspberries and blueberries, as these aren’t as hardy as, e.g., strawberries or grapes. Speaking to Eating Well , Robert Schueller, a produce expert at Melissa’s Produce, said: “A raspberry is one of the most delicate fruits out there, so they have to be packaged very carefully”. They provide some cushioning for the delicate fruits as they’re transported, too. And because they wick away moisture, they can help to prevent mould. It makes sense for it to be black or red as it’s designed to catch berry juices, which would otherwise stain it. Though there may be another, unexpected benefit here: pitching their black cartonboard packaging for strawberries, MM Karton said: “The contrast of black cartonboard and red strawberries is a real eye-catcher at the point of sale”. Perhaps the red berry/black sheet colour combo makes our raspberries look more inviting, too. That’s also why raspberries are packed into smaller containers I have enjoyed many a mega-size box of strawberries this year. But it turns out retailers aren’t being stingy for limiting their raspberry carton sizes; the berries are too delicate to be stacked on top of each other, unlike strawberries and even blueberries. And, Schueller added, “you need to allow space for air in each package, too”. Related... Is It Safe To Eat Berries If Some Are Mouldy? Five Gut-Healthy Foods That Might Actually Be Bad For Your Heart I'm Already Addicted To 2026's Biggest Flavour Trend: 10 Ways To Try 'Fricy' Food

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