Strawberries
Strawberries are a popular fruit that are fun to pick and delicious to eat. There aren’t many food experiences that can compare with biting into a juicy, ripe strawberry. They make a wonderful addition to any fruit salad as well as countless desserts, drinks and cocktails.
Often associated with love and passion, the shape and colour of strawberries certainly conjures up matters of the heart. Luckily they have just as many nutritional as emotional values, being high in vitamin C and fibre and one of the most potent sources of antioxidants of any fruit or vegetable.
Nutritional facts:
- High levels of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties
- Rich in vitamin C, with well documented cardio-vascular benefits
- The fibre in strawberries is known to reduce blood sugar levels – so they are a great source of natural sweetness for diabetics
- Anti-cancer benefits – associated with their strong antioxidant content
- Strawberries have been linked to increased cognitive function (and are therefore considered a desirable fruit to combat the ill effects of aging)
- The anti-inflammatory properties are connected to reduced risk of conditions including inflamed bowel problems and many arthritic problems
- Good source of magnesium, potassium, nitrate and folate
Did you know:
- Strawberries are part of the rose family
- Every strawberry has around 200 seeds – which are the actual fruits
- There is a museum dedicated solely to strawberries in Belgium
- Strawberries have grown wild for thousands of years, the documented history of cultivation dates back to around the 18th century
- In medieval times, strawberries were served at feasts as a symbol of peace and prosperity
- An old custom says that if you split a double strawberry, the person to whom you give the other half will fall in love with you
- Some cultures (including French) believe that strawberries have aphrodisiac qualities
- The presence of nitrate in strawberries is believed to increase oxygen and blood flow to muscles, making exercise easier and more beneficial
- Strawberries have natural diuretic qualities
- Strawberries are used in face masks to tighten pores and in skin lotions to combat freckles and age spots
Selection and storage
Choose strawberries that have a bright, consistent colour and secure green caps.
Strawberries do not continue to ripen once picked so avoid ones that are very pale, dull or green tinged – they may not be ripe.
Do not select strawberries in punnets where you can see evidence of mould as this will spread to the other strawberries.
Strawberries are highly perishable so ideally should be eaten within a couple of days of purchase.
It is best to store strawberries in the refrigerator in their original container. Alternatively you can store them in a single layer on a plate with a cover.
Do not wash strawberries until you are just about to eat them. Then give them a quick rinse, remove the green caps and serve or eat immediately.
Strawberries will be at their most flavoursome if served at room temperature.
The powerful nutrients of strawberries are best maintained if they are eaten fresh, rather than cooked.
Seasonality
Strawberries are available all year round in Australia, with the peak season being from November through to February.
Growing
Read more here about Costa’s berry growing.
CostaExchange is proud to partner with Driscoll’s Australia
Recipes
Looking for delicious berry recipes,