Are strawberries really a fruit?

“Are strawberries really a fruit?” you wonder.

Well, a strawberry is actually a multiple fruit which consists of many tiny individual fruits embedded in a fleshy receptacle.

The brownish or whitish specks, which are commonly considered seeds, are the true fruits, called achenes, and each of them surrounds a tiny seed.

These achenes also make strawberries relatively high in fiber.

Are strawberries healthy to eat?

According to the Wellness Encyclopedia of Food and Nutrition, one-half cup of strawberries supplies more fiber than a slice of whole wheat bread, and more than 70 percent of the recommended daily allowance of vitamin C.

Where do strawberries come from?

While California and Florida are the largest producers, strawberries are grown in all 50 states in the U.S.

Which is the best tasting strawberry variety?

The sweet aromatic flavor of ‘Royal Sovereign’ is considered the best among strawberry varieties, though they might not produce the biggest or the richest harvest.Apparently, this variety is the sweetest tasting strawberry out there.

This is a self-fertile variety , which mean you only need one plant for fruits.

There are several different types of strawberry plants – early, mid- and late varieties: ever bearing strawberries, remontants or perpetuals, and alpines. Grow a mix of types and you can enjoy delicious strawberries for several months in summer.

Where do strawberries grow best?

The very best-tasting fruits grow in full sunshine.

Plant them in a sunny, sheltered site in fertile, free-draining soil that’s ideally slightly acidic. You can easily improve soil by digging in lots of organic matter before planting – compost or well-rotted manure is ideal.

A general-purpose organic fertilizer will give your new plants an extra boost.

Strawberries may also be grown in containers, towers and even hanging baskets, making them a fantastically flexible fruit!

A word of caution, don’t plant them where tomatoes, potatoes or chrysanthemums recently grew, because these plants are susceptible to verticillium wilt, a disease that is easily passed on to strawberries.

Will strawberries regrow?

Strawberries are perennials, and will grow back in the springtime if the plants are healthy.

While the leaves of strawberry plants can die over the winter, the roots can survive colder temperatures.

Strawberry plants will regrow up from their roots every year, provided that the roots are healthy and survive winter.

When do strawberries ripen?

Strawberries are the first fruit to ripen in the spring and early summer months.

Advances in transportation and refrigeration have allowed for strawberries to become a season-less fruit.

Will strawberries ripen once picked?

Strawberries don’t ripen once they’re picked, so if they don’t look ripe, they never will be

Look for a bright red color, a natural shine and fresh-looking green tops. Avoid berries with white tops or tips.

When are strawberries ready to eat?

Strawberries need to be red from top to bottom .They do not ripen once picked, so choose them wisely while picking.

Green leaves that are fresh and crisp are a sign of “just right for the picking”. Wilted and brown leaves mean the berries are too old or too ripe.

Choose strawberries that are plump.

Dried and shriveled strawberries are too old for picking.

They come in different varieties and sizes, so size should not matter!

If you are buying strawberries from a store, you must avoid the entire box, if you even spot one strawberry that is molding. It basically means the others in the box are beginning to rot as well.

Do you know which fruits and veggies are on the Clean 15-Dirty Dozen List this year?

If not, click the image below to get your list today!

Will strawberries ripen in the refrigerator?

Strawberries do not ripen after harvest.

However, they do sweeten over time slightly after being picked. The best methods for storing strawberries are both via a cold and dark environment in a refrigerator.

It is best to wash and eat them right away.

If you are planning to eat them the following day, put them in the refrigerator in the crisper drawer unwashed.

If you want them to last more than a week, wrap them in a single layer of paper towel and store them in the refrigerator unwashed.

Washing them before storing allows mold to form easily because of the moisture content.Leaving the stems intact also helps prolong their shelf life.

Strawberries signify that summer is almost here.

Recipe Ideas with strawberries

Here are some of my recipes that you can add to your collection of strawberry recipes to try out in the following months.

The Bottom Line

Now that the strawberry season is here, what are you planning to do with the ones you bring home?

Share with us your thoughts and recipes, in the comments section below, so we can together make this a season to remember with healthy eating!