All About Strawberries

Once spring has sprung strawberries are the first fruit to ripen. These red, sweet, juicy fruits are easy to use and enjoy fresh, frozen, preserved, pureed, roasted...the list is endless! Perfectly ripe strawberries are best eaten out of hand. To jazz them up a bit pour some heavy cream or good-quality balsamic vinegar over them. Another favorite quick treat is to dip strawberries in sour cream or plain yogurt and then into a bit of brown sugar. Strawberries are also delicious on cereal, as a shortcake, or in pies and tarts. Strawberries match up nicely with other berries, melons, and tropical fruits in a simple fruit salad.

As an added bonus, strawberries contain plenty of antioxidants and vitamin C.

Varieties

The 600 strawberry varieties found today stem from five or six original wild species and are a member of the rose family. Sample different varieties at your local farmers market. You will be surprised how varied they are in shape, color and taste. Typically, the larger the berry, the more water it contains, the smaller the berry, the greater the intensity of flavor. For the most local of treats, nothing beats the flavor of strawberries picked fresh from your garden.

When to Buy Strawberries

Strawberries are the most cultivated berry in the country. They are grown in every state of the union and are available at most farmers markets, if only for a brief time in colder climates.

That said, most commercial strawberries in the U.S. are grown in California where coastal climates--moderate temperatures with warm sunny days and cool foggy nights--are the perfect for growing delicious, beautiful strawberries year round. Strawberry growing season in California runs from January through November but peak season is April through June. Other areas of the country have shorter production cycles, from an average of five-months to as short as a few weeks in the coldest areas.

How to Buy Strawberries

Choose brightly colored, dry, firm, plump berries that still have fresh-looking green caps attached. Avoid soft, dull looking, shriveled, or moldy berries. Since strawberries do not ripen after being picked, avoid berries that are partly white or otherwise unripe.

How to Store Strawberries

Do not wash or strawberries until ready to use. Store (preferably in a single layer on a paper towel) in a moisture proof container in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. To wash, place in a large colander and rinse gently with cool water.

How to Prepare Strawberries

Unless eating strawberries out of hand, you need to hull them. Hulling a strawberry means removing the inedible green caps from the fruit. To do this, place the tip of your knife at the base of the cap, insert gently to remove only the soft white part at the base of the stem and slowly turn the strawberry. Once you come full circle the top will pop right off without sacrificing too much flesh. You can also use a strawberry huller if you like specialty kitchen gadgets.