Strawberries

Taste: Strawberries have a light, sweet taste. They tend to not be as tart as other berries and have more of a mellow flavour. Lots of strawberries in the grocery store taste almost like nothing due to sprays and modifications, so there's nothing like a fresh, home-grown strawberry.

Nutritional Info:

• Incredibly high in vitamin C

• Low in calories, with only 47 calories per cup

• High in fiber, potassium, magnesium, and antioxidants

When to Look for Strawberries: Strawberries are the first berry to welcome the summer berry season.  In British Colombia strawberries begin to ripen in early June or in warm years during last weeks of May.

Best Uses for Strawberries:  Strawberries are a great snack on their own, but are also tasty in fruit salads, in baking, or with fresh whipped cream.

How to Store Strawberries: Don’t wash or chop the strawberries before eating them, and leave the stems attached to the fruits until just before you want to eat them. One bad strawberry can ruin the bunch, so make sure to check on them. In the refrigerator strawberries can last five to seven days.

If you don’t plan to use them soon, remove the stems and freeze them on a single layer in a baking sheet so they don’t stick together in a giant red ice lump. Store in an airtight container or freezer bag.