Hello! I'm a botanist with a passion for fruit varieties. I've spent years studying and researching the diverse world of berries, including their fascinating genetics and the reasons behind their colors. So, when it comes to the intriguing question of blue raspberries, I'm ready to delve into the fascinating details.

First, let's tackle the basics.
Raspberries, belonging to the genus *Rubus*, are known for their deliciousness and versatility. Their vibrant colors range from red to golden, each resulting from a complex interplay of pigments, primarily anthocyanins. These pigments are responsible for the red, purple, and blue hues we see in many fruits and vegetables.

Now, the question of blue raspberries is intriguing. While the concept might seem fantastical, the truth is a bit more nuanced. You see, **true blue raspberries, in the conventional sense, don't exist naturally**. The pigments that create blue hues in other fruits, like blueberries, are different from those found in raspberries. This fundamental difference makes it impossible for a raspberry to naturally develop a truly blue color.

However, there's a twist! While true blue raspberries might be a mythical fruit, there are fascinating variations within the raspberry family that can appear blueish in certain lighting conditions or due to their unique pigmentation.

One notable example is the "Blue Raspberry", a popular flavor often encountered in candies, drinks, and even ice cream. This "blue raspberry" flavor is actually an artificial concoction, a blend of blue and red dyes designed to mimic the taste of a mythical fruit. It's a testament to our human creativity and the desire to explore the realm of flavors beyond the boundaries of nature.

Another example is the "Black Raspberry", a variety of raspberry that is actually very dark purple in color. In certain lighting conditions, its deep purple hue might appear blueish. However, it's important to note that this is not a true blue color, but rather a consequence of the way light interacts with the fruit's dark pigments.

The "Raspberry Black" cultivar is another intriguing example. This variety, sometimes referred to as the "black raspberry", showcases a dark purple color that can, under certain lighting, appear almost black. However, its color is not truly blue, but rather a very deep purple.

So, while true blue raspberries don't exist in the natural world, the fascinating colors within the raspberry family and the human creativity behind flavor concoctions continue to captivate our imaginations. The world of berries, with its diverse colors and flavors, is truly a captivating realm to explore!
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The ice pop barons had access to blue dye, but no flavors that needed it. It was just an extra color sitting around, so they started to marry the flavor of Rubus leucodermis, known as the --Whitebark Raspberry-- or --Blue Raspberry,-- with the bright blue synthetic food coloring Brilliant Blue (FD&C Blue No. 1).read more >>