I think, unless you are allergic to them, strawberries are a true decadent to many of us. It
reminds me of one of the first fruits of the summer season – full of sweetness and juiciness.
When the perfect ripeness, it is the most beautiful red colour. And when you get to go pick a
bucket yourself, as I did just recently, it seems even more rewarding. It signifies the start of
Summer – warm, long days; being social with friends and family, picnics and BBQs, and endless
outdoor time. So there is a reason that the strawberry is the most popular type of berry fruit in
the world.
There are more than 600 varieties of strawberries that differ in flavour, size and texture,
although they all have the same heart shape, red flesh with yellow seeds piercing the surface,
with small green caps.
The USA (mostly California), Canada, France, Italy, Japan, Australia and New Zealand are
among the largest commercial producers of strawberries.
Strawberries are full of nutrition! They are packed with Vitamins C, K, dietary fiber, and
flavonoids (a great antioxidant that can benefit Vitamin C absorption). They also contain
manganese, Vitamins B1 and B5, B6, folic acid, and iodine.
Strawberries have many health benefits due mostly to their high flavonoid content – in the form
of anthocyanidins, which gives strawberries their deep red colour. This tasty fruit helps fight
against inflammation, cancer, and heart disease. Some anti-inflammatory drugs, such as
aspirin, and ibuprofen, block pain by inhibiting the same enzyme (protein) that strawberries do.
Therefore, arthritis, asthma, atherosclerosis (hardening of arteries), and cancer can be
benefited or be reduced by consuming this scrumptious fruit.
Strawberries can be eaten fresh (best!) or frozen. If you decide to freeze strawberries that are
fresh, you can arrange them in a single layer on a flat pan or cookie sheet and place them in the
freezer. Once frozen, you can place them in a ziploc bag and return to the freezer where they
can keep for a long time. Adding lemon juice to the berries will help to preserve their colour
while frozen. The vitamin C content of strawberries is best maintained if left whole while
freezing.
Strawberries are best if organic, as they contain a lot of pesticide residue if non-organic.
They are a very versatile fruit!
● Eat them by themself, in a fruit salad, or in a smoothie.
● They are also great in a green salad to add a bit of sweetness.
● Added to yogurt or ice cream, they create a yummy breakfast or dessert.
● Strawberries can also be a great topping to waffles or pancakes, especially when combined with cinnamon, lemon juice and maple syrup.
● When chicken or seafood are grilled, strawberries can create a fresh topping.
● Of course, a decadent strawberry shortcake cannot be forgotten this summer!
So….enjoy the summer fruit – Strawberry – to its fullest this Season, before it is too late. Aside
from the many health benefits, the sweet yumminess of this beautiful fruit won’t let you down.
Author Info
No Comments