If you’ve ever sipped a neon blue slushie or enjoyed the tangy sweetness of a blue raspberry candy, you might have wondered: is there really such a thing as a blue raspberry? The answer is both a “no” and a “sort of.” While no naturally blue raspberry exists in nature, the concept of “blue raspberry” does have roots in real fruit — just not the vibrant, electric blue kind you might expect.
The Origin of Blue Raspberry Flavor
Blue raspberry flavor was created in the 1950s or ’60s by candy and drink manufacturers looking for a bold, standout color to represent a fruity, tangy flavor. They landed on blue because it stood out from other colors in the confectionery lineup (red, green, yellow) and conveniently filled a gap in the artificial food dye spectrum.
The actual flavor of blue raspberry is typically modeled after the white bark raspberry (scientifically known as Rubus leucodermis), a fruit that’s more purplish or black than blue. This raspberry variety grows wild in North America and has a sharper, tangier taste than the more common red raspberry (Rubus idaeus). While its color doesn’t match the bright hue of the candies, its tart flavor inspired the synthetic blue raspberry taste we know today.
Why Blue?
The vibrant blue color comes from the food dye FD&C Blue No. 1, also known as “brilliant blue.” It became a popular choice in the 1970s when red food dyes like FD&C Red No. 2 faced health concerns and regulatory scrutiny. Blue not only solved a practical problem for manufacturers but also created a distinct and playful aesthetic that kids (and adults) loved.
So, Are Blue Raspberries Real?
No, there are no naturally blue raspberries growing on bushes. The concept is a clever branding invention rooted in science and marketing. However, it does have a loose connection to the white bark raspberry’s flavor profile.
Next time you sip a blue raspberry slushie, you can appreciate it for what it truly is: a mix of tangy nostalgia and creative science, rather than a tribute to a rare natural fruit.