Brains On! Science Podcast for Kids

Episode: Blue raspberries and harry berries
Host: Molly Bloom
Co-Host: Zoe Samara (Houston, TX)
Date: March 31, 2026

Episode Overview

In this playful, fact-packed episode, Molly Bloom and kid co-host Zoe Samara dig into some berry curious questions: What’s the deal with the “hairs” on raspberries? And where did the idea of “blue raspberry” flavor come from, given that real blue raspberries don’t seem to exist? With the help of expert guests, memorable segments, and even a “berry barber” character, the show explores raspberry biology, food science history, and why berry candy is so often blue.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Raspberry Basics & History

• Raspberries are Related to Roses:

  • Raspberries are in the same plant family as roses. Wild raspberry bushes are thorny, much like rose bushes.
    [07:14]
  • Quote: “Raspberries are closely related to roses.” – Zoe Samara

• Cultivation & Health:

  • First farmed by the Romans around the year 300, raspberries spread across Europe and eventually to America.
    [07:28]
  • Packed with fiber and vitamin C; historically used in Europe as medicine for centuries, though the actual effectiveness is limited to some uses today.
    [07:47]

2. Why Do Raspberries Have Hairs?

• Listener Question: Amelia Sars from Washington asks why raspberries have hairs.
  [08:32]

• Introducing Bart the Berry Barber:

  • Comedic character “Bart,” a barber for fruit, explains the berry’s structure.
    [09:10]

• Not True Berries Botanically:

  • Despite their name, raspberries and blackberries are not “true berries” in botanical terms.

    • “True berries” are one fleshy fruit with seeds, like blueberries, bananas, even pumpkins!
      [11:11]

  • Quote: “Raspberries are berries, but they are not true berries.” – Bart the Berry Barber [10:01]

• Berry Structure:

  • Raspberries are a collection (aggregate) of little fruits called “drupelets/drupes,” each with its own seed.
    [10:48]

• Two Types of “Hair”:

  • Styles: The longer yellowish strands, one per drupelet, leftover stigma from flower pollination – part of the plant’s reproductive system.
    [11:49]

    • Quote: “Those longer strands are called styles. They're part of the plant's reproductive system.” – Bart the Berry Barber

  • Trichomes: Short, fuzzy white “hairs” across the fruit, also found on peaches and kiwis. [17:40]

    • Serve as protection for fruit: Secrete chemicals to deter bugs, make wax to keep moisture inside. Like a tiny suit of armor.
      [17:56]
    • Quote: “Trichomes are important for fruits. Think of that white fuzz like a mini suit of armor.” – Bart the Berry Barber [17:56]

3. What About Mold?

• Berry Safety:

  • Trichomes are translucent, but if you see more solid fuzz, it’s likely mold—toss those berries.
    [19:12]

  • Pro tip: Store berries in a single layer and eat them fast to avoid mold!
    [19:37]

4. The Blue Raspberry Mystery: Why Is Candy Blue?

• Do Blue Raspberries Exist?

  • There is a “white bark raspberry” that turns dark purplish blue when ripe, but not the neon blue seen in candies.
    [22:23]

• History of Blue Raspberry Flavor:

  • In the 1970s, classic popsicle flavors (cherry, strawberry, watermelon, raspberry) were all red (thanks to red dye #2).
    [23:12]
  • When red dye #2 was banned due to safety, candy and ice pop makers wanted a fun alternative color to help flavors stand out. Blue food dye was underused and visually distinctive, so it got assigned to “raspberry.”
    [24:38]
  • Quote: “Blue raspberry as we know it was born.” – Molly Bloom [24:47]

• Result:

  • Blue raspberry flavor spread to gummies, slushies, candies, and more—even though it doesn’t match any natural berry. The flavor is invented and the color eye-catching, solving a practical sugary problem.
    [25:26]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Raspberry Candy vs Fruit:

  • “Oh, I love blue raspberry flavor. It’s an adventure in your mouth. It explodes.” – Zoe Samara [04:10]

• On Eating Raspberries:

  • “I stick them on my fingers and pretend they’re like a family.” – Zoe Samara [04:26]

• Favorite Smoothie Ingredients:

  • “Raspberries, strawberries, and little bits of mango…so delicious.” – Zoe Samara [05:08]

• Berry Barber Banter:

  • “I used to say I was a bearber, but people thought I shaved bears, which is so silly. Imagine that, someone shaving bears!” – Bart the Berry Barber [09:20]

• On Trichomes:

  • “Thank you, trichomes, indeed. Not only do they help fruit out, they keep me in business.” – Bart the Berry Barber [18:29]

• Why Blue Dye?

  • “There weren’t many flavors that used a blue dye…so someone came up with the idea of coloring raspberry popsicles with the blue food dye. And it was a hit.” – Zoe Samara [24:38]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:19] — Introduction to raspberry “hairs”
• [03:40] — Listener’s blue raspberry question
• [07:14] — Raspberries’ family and history
• [08:32] — “Why do raspberries have hairs?” listener question
• [09:10] — Bart the Berry Barber explains berry types
• [11:11] — What makes a true berry?
• [11:49] — What are “styles” and “trichomes”?
• [17:40] — Importance of trichomes/fuzz
• [19:17] — How to identify mold on raspberries
• [22:07] — The blue raspberry flavor investigation
• [24:47] — Birth of blue raspberry flavor and the blue dye switch

Episode Summary & Takeaways

• Raspberries have both long “styles” (plant reproductive bits) and a soft fuzz called “trichomes.” The fuzz protects the fruit and keeps it juicy.
• Botanically, raspberries are not “true berries”—they’re groups of smaller fruits called drupelets.
• Blue raspberry flavor was created by food companies in the 1970s to overcome color confusion and safety concerns about then-common food dyes. The flavor is mostly made up, and the color is purely for fun!
• If your raspberries grow too much solid fuzz (mold), toss those berries!
• Molly and Zoe’s banter keeps things light, memorable, and kid-friendly, with recurring themes of curiosity, play, and snack enthusiasm.

Memorable Kid & Character Moments

• Zoe’s snack pack backpack and custom “raspberries are red but the candy is blue” shirt [07:01]
• Bart the Berry Barber’s over-the-top fruit salon antics [09:10], [17:12]
• The mystery sound segment (“tapping a balloon,” not drumming!) [12:37], [27:20]

Engaging, science-filled, and full of humor, this Brains On! episode delivers berry good fun while answering why raspberries are hairy and just what’s up with blue raspberry flavor.