Strawberries are soft, juicy, sweet, and bright red berries that grow on low-growing plants with white flowers and runners. They are small to medium-sized, ranging from 2 to 5 centimeters in diameter, and have a cordate shape with broad, curved shoulders and a blunt or pointed tip. The outside of the strawberry is covered with tiny edible seeds called achenes, which are actually little fruits themselves that contain even tinier seeds. When ripe, strawberries smell wonderful and taste even better.
Strawberries are a member of the rose family, Rosaceae, and belong to the genus Fragaria. The most common strawberries grown commercially are cultivars of the garden strawberry, a hybrid known as Fragaria × ananassa. The ananassa designation is due to the resemblance to the pineapple in flavor, odor, and shape. Strawberries can be a variety of different colors and have a taste that varies by cultivar, ranging from quite sweet to rather tart.
Strawberries are an excellent source of vitamin C and manganese and also contain decent amounts of folate (vitamin B9) and potassium. They are very rich in antioxidants and plant compounds, which may have benefits for heart health and blood sugar control. Strawberries are available year around with peak season in the spring and summer.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.