One of the first fruits to ripen in spring is the strawberry. This attractive, nutritious and delicious red fruit has been known since prehistoric times. Strewberry was
their original name because of their habit of hiding under their own leaves
as they grow. Wild strawberries are found in fields and forests in Europe, North America and South America. Strawberries were cultivated and traded in Chile and Peru long before Europeans arrived. When English Colonists settled in Massachusetts, they found that the indigenous people were cultivating strawberries. Fraises des bois
the French call their wild strawberries and they are the treat of treats,
subject to seasonality.
Like so many of the foods we cherish, the strawberry has been a subject of folklore and legend. For example:
- Be careful when you share a double strawberry with someone of the opposite sex. The two of you will fall in love.
- Because of their red color and heart shape, the strawberry has been used as the symbol for Venus, the Goddess of Love.
- Henry VIII's second wife, Ann Boleyn, had a strawberry birthmark on her neck and was, therefore, believed to be a witch.
- A woman with reddish-blonde hair is referred to as a “strawberry” blonde.
= A horse with a reddish brown coat is called a “strawberry roan.”
Strawberries were first bred in Europe during the early 18th century and resulted from an accidental cross of wild strawberries from eastern North America, known for their good flavor and a species from Chile, which was known for its large size.
Nutrition in Strawberries, their Care and Storage
These delightful fruits are free of fats, saturated fats, sodium and cholesterol. They are a good source of fiber, potassium, vitamin C and folic acid. They are also high in antioxidants. Strawberries do best when refrigerated and can be frozen for long term storage. Keep them away from humidity and don’t wash until just before they are used.
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