It’s the season to enjoy to the fullest what English writer Dr. William Butler said over 400 years ago; “Doubtless God could have made a better berry (strawberry), but doubtless God never did.”
This sweet berry is in full season and will, in some species and in some areas, continue to produce through June. The pick-your-own berry farms once very popular in this area have long been unavailable. To look for local strawberries today, if you do not have your own patch, search local markets or watch for vendors.
Most supermarket strawberries come from one of ten states where strawberry production is a major industry. California is the largest producing state (on 23,000 acres of strawberries 21 tons are produced annually), Florida steps into second, and Oregon, North Carolina, Washington, New York, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Ohio follow. Strawberries are grown in every state, but it wasn’t until 1825 that strawberry production became well established in our country.
The strawberry was once used as a symbol for Venus, the Goddess of Love because of its heart shape and red color. Ancient Romans believed that the strawberry had a great medicinal value; they used it to alleviate the symptoms of a wide variety of maladies, ranging from melancholy to kidney stones. Medieval stone masons carved strawberry designs on altars and around the tops of pillars in churches and cathedrals to symbolize perfection and righteousness. Even a female member of Napoleon’s court used strawberries for bathing; she required 22 pounds a bath.
When selecting your strawberries look for bright red berries as they do not continue ripening after they are picked; what you see is what you get. Look for fresh green leaves and plump berries as size does not matter.
Once you take your berries home, the best way to keep them fresh is to kill any spores on the fruit by placing berries in a bowl. Wash with vinegar solution of 1 c. white vinegar to 8c. water. Dry completely. Arrange on paper-lined tray, cover with plastic wrap, then refrigerate.
To freeze fresh strawberries, unsweetened, place whole (stems removed) or sliced, berries in a single layer on a baking sheet, freeze and then package in containers. This eliminates berries from sticking together. Berries can be removed separately. Frozen strawberries will last up to 12 months if packaged properly.
According to the United States Department of Agriculture the annual per capita consumption of fresh and frozen strawberries is 4.85 pounds. Strawberries are low in fat but high in vitamin C, fiber, folic acid and potassium.
Note: Facts on strawberries were taken from: History of the Strawberry, Interesting Strawberry Facts, Strawberry History and Brief History of Strawberries.