Succulent Strawberries
The strawberry is a member of the rose family and is unique in that it is the only fruit with seeds on the outside rather than the inside. Growers from all over the world claim their strawberries are the best. In Wepion, Belgium, ‘The World Capital of Strawberries,’ they even have a museum dedicated solely to this sumptuous red berry.
Grow strawberries
Strawberries are best grown in a warm, sunny spot and need well-drained soil. They are not keen on chalky soil. They need watering regularly while the fruits are developing, and it’s also a good idea to place straw or strawberry mats underneath them for protection. You can remove runners – stems with baby plants on them – as they appear to keep them compact.
Nutrition
Strawberries are a very healthy fruit, being rich in vitamin C and a good source of folic acid as well as being high in fibre. According to some experts, a strawberry is a superstar when it comes to anti-oxidant power. Some say that one cup of strawberries gives you a whopping 140 per cent of your recommended daily allowance of vitamin C.
Origins
Strawberries were cultivated by the Romans as early as 200 BC and in medieval times strawberries were regarded as an aphrodisiac and a soup made of strawberries, borage and soured cream was traditionally served to newly-weds at their marriage breakfast. Native American Indians were already eating strawberries when the Colonists arrived and it’s believed that in 1780, the first strawberry hybrid was developed in the USA.
