Summer season for the British strawberry
Savour the flavour of strawberries
Our love for strawberries in Britain started around 1830 and has grown into a highly desirable and popular summer fruit. It’s unusual from other berries in having its seeds on the outside and oddly these seeds don’t make new strawberry plants.
The name for strawberry has gone through many variations in its history, but originally was referred to as the strewberry referring to the way it strew along the ground and over other plants as it grew. When strawberries were picked to sell on markets stalls they used to string them on a blade of dry straw to help protect them from bruising.
Caring for your strawberries
Strawberries are great in helping you along with your 5-a-day fruit and vegetable target. Just 5 average sized strawberries will give you around the daily required amount of vitamin A and they also contain many more vitamins and minerals.
Once strawberries are picked they will not ripen any more, so eat them as soon as possible. Try only washing your strawberries just before eating them to ensure they look and taste their best.
If you can’t eat all those strawberries on day of purchase, a good way is to store them is openly inside your fridge aiming to eat them as quickly as possible (see packaging for more details).
If you need to keep strawberries for longer, try freezing them. Give them a good wash, then dry well removing any stems, arrange them on a sheet of baking paper and pop them in the freezer. When they’re completely frozen solid seal them in an airtight container or freezer bag and keep in the freezer until needed.
Quick and easy inspiration
- Serve fresh strawberries with clotted cream and scatter with almond flakes for quick dessert treat.
- Whizz up in a blender strawberries, raspberries and cream together with crushed ice to create a luxurious fruit smoothie.
- Serve the freshest and best strawberries of the season with vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar. Guaranteed to impress your friends!
- To the bottom slice of a fruit scone add a dollop of fresh whipped cream and then add a layer of sliced strawberries. To the top slice spread with some strawberry jam and then sandwich the two slices together for a really nice afternoon treat.
Unusual recipe ideas for strawberries
Mini fruit kebabs and dip
An exciting way to include extra fruit in your family diet.
Cheshire cheese salad with rocket and strawberries
A taste of summer. Strawberries and sharp cheese with fiery rocket.
Prawn salad with lemon and chive dressing
An exotic combination of seafood and fruits with a tangy dressing.
Strawberry crème fraîche and roasted almond pancakes
Pancakes filled with fresh strawberries and creme fraiche, topped with toasted almonds.
Strawberry and melon with mint syrup
Strawberries & melon in a minty sugar syrup. Ideal as a snack or delicious dessert.
