Strawberry season
Approximately three weeks pass during strawberry season, depending on how warm the days are. The ripening process of strawberries can be slowed down, and the strawberry season is extended by rain, snow, or cold temperatures. On the other hand, warm, dry days could hasten it. So plan ahead as soon as the first few berries turn ruby red if you want to go strawberry picking. The time of year is valuable and short.
Three characteristics of today’s conventional strawberries are highly valued by farmers: size, firmness, and pest resistance. However, those qualities are only sometimes the best for those who want to experience strawberry season to the fullest.
Larger berries often contain more water, lessening the strawberry’s sweetness and sour bite. Tinier berries pack more flavor into every bite, creating a burst of flavor. However, since smaller berries are usually softer, transporting them can be challenging.
During off-peak growing seasons elsewhere, states like Florida and California do, in fact, frequently supply big, beautiful berries to the entire nation. Thus, although having fresh strawberries in December is pleasant, there is a price: Berries don’t have the same shine as in-season fruit.
Delicious Strawberry recipes
- Strawberry Poke Cake: Ingredients
- Baking spray with flour
- 1 cup whole milk
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- Four teaspoons of baking powder
- Six large eggs at room temperature
- 1 ½ teaspoons lemon extract
- ½ teaspoon salt
- One tablespoon of vanilla extract, plus 1/2 teaspoon, divided
- Two ¼ cups sugar, divided
- 2 ½ pounds fresh strawberries
- 1 (.25 ounce) envelope of unflavored gelatin
- One tablespoon chopped fresh mint
- Whole-milk vanilla Greek yogurt or whipped cream for garnish
Strawberry-Almond Smoothie: Ingredients:
- Ten frozen whole strawberries
- 1 cup almond milk or low-fat milk
- 1/2 cup silken tofu (4 ounces)
- Two tablespoons sugar
And the last recipe, which is my personal favorite;
Strawberry Lemonade: Ingredients:
- 8 ounces strawberries, hulled, plus more for garnish
- 1 cup fresh lemon juice (from 4 large lemons)
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 6 cups water
- Mint leaves for garnish
Summer Strawberry Picking
In strawberry season, the fruit should have a constant, deep, bright red color, plump shape, and no defects. They should have a pronounced strawberry aroma and a medium hardness. If they’re excessively firm and partly white, that is an indicator they are not yet ripe. If they’re soft, it suggests they are incredibly mature. They should be mold-free with unbroken green stems. The ideal ones to pick have roughly one-quarter of the branch attached.
Once strawberries are harvested, they stop ripening. Imported strawberries are often picked too early to prevent them from growing mushy while they are transported.
Strawberries are delicate and easily blemished, so pick them with care. They decay quickly and do not store well after being bruised.
Remember that strawberries are among the fruits that receive the most remarkable chemical and pesticide treatment.
