Strawberries - The allowed fruit you'll want to taste!

Our strawberries are the sweetest, juiciest strawberries out there! Today we are going to tell you a little bit about their origins, their nutritional benefits, and how they can be consumed! The goal is that in the end we will demystify why strawberries should not actually be such a forbidden fruit!

To whet your appetite, did you know that the strawberry is the only fruit covered with hundreds of seeds on its exterior? It's true! Each strawberry has approximately 200 seeds around it, which is one of the reasons why strawberries are such a fiber-rich fruit!

And where do these delicious little fruits come from?

Strawberries are native to temperate zones in the northern and southern hemispheres. The culture of strawberries (Fragaria ananassa) appeared in Europe during the 18th century, and resulted from a hybrid production in France between Fragaria chiloensis and Fragaria virginiana.

And in Portugal?

Strawberry culture in Portugal is quite significant, with productions in several regions of the country, such as Alentejo, Ribatejo, Beiras, Douro, among others.

Portugal's mild climate is ideal for its cultivation, which allows production throughout the year, especially in the spring and summer. Mainly during the months between March and August it is easier to find a surplus production of this juicy fruit. Most of them are produced in greenhouses, although there is also production in the open field.

Production in Portugal is done by both large producers and small farmers, with small producers accounting for much of the production. The strawberries produced in Portugal are generally destined for the domestic market, but are also exported to other countries in the European Union, mainly to Spain.

Strawberry growing in Portugal is important not only for the country's economy, but also for the preservation of local culture and traditions, since many of the small productions are made by families that have maintained the tradition of strawberry growing for generations.

Where do ours come from?

Ours come from Artur's field, a 63-year-old farmer from the Ramalhal area of Torres Vedras. Artur started growing strawberries in 1993, 40 years ago! 

Its land has 9 and a half hectares where large quantities are produced for small markets in Lisbon, Porto and Madrid!

And why are strawberries considered superfoods?

These are considered a superfood for several reasons. First of all, they are very nutritious and contain many important nutrients. Incidentally, did you know that strawberries have more vitamin C and fewer calories than oranges?

It's true! Although an average orange contains 70mg of vitamin C, the truth is that strawberries have around 10.5mg. In other words, if you eat seven of them, you will get more vitamin C than just one orange has!

Interestingly, there are other products in our baskets that have more vitamin C than orange. Our kiwis, our broccoli, and our cauliflower are some of the examples we display in our vitamin C showcase.

But let's not lose focus! Yes, it's true that strawberries are highly nutritious in vitamin C, but that's not all that makes them such a delicious superfood!

In its nutritional properties you can find potassium, fiber, and an excellent dose of magnesium and folate. These minerals are a great help in stabilizing blood sugar levels and cardiovascular health.

In addition, they are rich in antioxidants, such as anthocyanins and ellagic acid, which help protect the body's cells from free radical damage. Thus, strawberries are a great choice for fighting heart, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases. 

Adding to the party of healthy living, they are known to be low in calories, which makes them a healthy choice for people who are most concerned about keeping their weight under control! 

This is because they have a low glycemic index, which means that they do not cause large spikes in blood sugar, which makes them a good choice for people who have diabetes or other conditions related to blood sugar levels.

And how can you enjoy these wonders of nature?

Strawberries are a super versatile and healthy fruit to serve in different ways! Our main suggestion is to eat au naturale, because our strawberries are very sweet and delicious. However, there are different ways you can come up with to consume this wonderful fruit. Let's discover them?

Desserts

A very common way to eat strawberries is to dip them in chocolate, whipped cream, or sugar! This is a very easy way to add a touch sweeter to their flavor. If you are looking for a healthier way to serve your strawberries you can replace these sugars with balsamic vinegar or basil!

If you feel like making a more elaborate dessert you can always turn to our recipe for chocolate sweet potato pie!

If you are a fan of gelatin you can always integrate pieces of our strawberries into your gelatin.

Salads

Strawberries can be a delicious addition to salads full of greens, because they can add a sweet and crunchy touch to a healthy dish!

Appetizers

If your palate is more daring why not try adding pepper? Black pepper enhances the natural flavor of the strawberries and adds a touch of flavor, without having to resort to sugars!

Drinks

Strawberries are a great ingredient for drinks like smoothies or cocktails! Not only do they bring a sweet and delicious flavor but they also provide a natural color to drinks!

Toppings

Strawberries are a great option for topping yogurt, pancakes, waffles, oatmeal, or ice cream!

Canned food

Strawberries are widely used to make jams, jellies or preserves. This is an amazing option to preserve the flavor of strawberries all year round!

But what is the best way to store and preserve strawberries longer?

An important tip for keeping strawberries fresh longer is to keep them whole, i.e. store them with the little green leaves without washing them first. Yes, it's true, water can speed up the ripening process, and so it's best to wash them only before consuming!

Besides storing them in a refrigerator, placing them in a shallow container covered with a towel or kitchen towel is the best way to make sure they won't be infected by the ripening effects of moisture. This way, you'll be able to extend the shelf life of your strawberries!

If the strawberries start to get soft or wilted, you can cut off the spoiled parts and freeze the rest for later use in smoothies, cakes, or desserts.

Always remember to check your strawberries and remove any that are spoiled to prevent the spoilage process from contaminating the rest!