Overview

Strawberries are a type of berry. They are grown in warmer climates and make for a delicious and juicy summer treat!

Identification

Strawberries are red and range in size from the size of your thumbnail to your entire thumb. The top of strawberries have green “hulls” which should be removed before eating.

In the US alone, hundreds of different strawberry varieties are grown. Depending on the variety you choose, the shape, colour, and taste of the strawberry will differ. Typically, smaller berries taste more intense, while larger strawberries tend to contain more water and so their flavor is slightly diluted.

Nutrition Info

One cup of whole strawberries has about 46 calories, 1.0g of protein, 11.1g of carbohydrates, 2.9g of fiber, 7.0g of sugar, and 0.4g of fat.

Strawberries are a good source of vitamins C, A, and K. Strawberries are also rich in minerals including calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, and potassium.

Selection

Choose brightly coloured strawberries with their hulls intact. Look for dry, plump, and firm berries. Avoid soft, moldy, and shrivelled berries.

Storage

Do not wash or hull strawberries until you are ready to eat them. You can store strawberries for 2 to 3 days in your fridge placed on a paper towel in a tightly covered moisture proof container.  Strawberries can also be frozen whole or in pieces. If you choose to freeze them make sure to wash and hull them before freezing.

Preparation

First begin by washing the berries. Place them in a large colander and rinse them gently with cool water. Lay the berries in a single layer on a clean kitchen towel or layer of paper towels and pat dry.

Once washed, the strawberries need to be hulled. This means that the inedible green leafy part of the berry needs to be removed. To hull, use a strawberry huller or place the tip of a knife at the base of the hull, insert it gently to remove only the soft white part at the base of the hull, and slowly turn the strawberry. Once you come full circle, the top leafy green part will pop off.

Once washed and hulled, the strawberries are ready to be eaten or used as part of a recipe.