24 Strawberry Facts: Learn More About This Delicious Fruit

Strawberries are versatile fruits that can be consumed in various forms.

Strawberries can be used in desserts or beverages like shakes and smoothies. They can also be had whole.

Strawberries are enjoyed by people across all nations. Their juicy nature and fresh taste make them a favorite among fruits. Strawberry is the first fruit that ripens every spring.

This first fruit to ripen is also known as a member of the rose family. Want to learn more about the genetics and benefits of this fruit? Then keep reading these strawberry facts!

History

Let's read about the history of strawberries.

• Strawberries have been mentioned in ancient literature by poets and authors.
• They were prevalent in Roman culture too.
• Poets from Roman society, like Ovid and Virgil, mentioned strawberries in their writings, which date back to the first century.
• However, these mentions always talked about strawberries as an ornament. They never mentioned the strawberry fruit as a consumable.
• In this regard, it is important to remember that ever since the beginning of mankind, humans have eaten wild strawberries. But this is not the same as the garden strawberry we eat today. The history of the commercial strawberry is different.
• The French started cultivating strawberries in Europe during the 1300s when they transplanted the wild strawberry plant into the garden.
• The European settlers also started cultivating musky strawberries. This was in the 1500s.
• During the 1600s, the Virginia strawberry, which was a breed of European strawberry, reached Europe.
• The Virginia strawberry only gained popularity during the late 1700s and the early 1800s.
• After the ’20s, strawberries were bred in experiment stations for commercial purposes, which belonged to the national or state authorities.

Description and Growth

The strawberry that we eat today is all made through hybridization. This is a hybrid between two varieties of wild strawberries. The first is the Virginia strawberry, while the second is the Chilean strawberry.

These hybrid strawberries are loved by many all over the world, and they are known for their taste and advantages. For instance, strawberries are known to help with sore throats and kidney stones. Read on to learn how strawberries are grown from seeds.

• Strawberries should be planted 18 in (45.7 cm) apart. This gives them space to grow their roots.
• Strawberry plants need soil with high acidic content. The pH level should be between 5.5-6.8.
• Strawberry plants also need eight hours of sunshine daily. They also need a lot of water, 1-1.5 in (2.54-3.81 cm) of it every day.
• The perfect soil can be created to grow strawberry plants by adding organic matter, compost, and fertilizers.
• For the best strawberries, the fertilizer used should be a continuous release.

Cultivation And Production

Approximately 50,000 strawberries can be cultivated on each acre of land. All states in America and all the provinces in Canada are known for growing strawberries. California produces strawberries worth $1 billion every year. Here is how the fruit is cultivated from its seeds.

• 70%-90% of the roots of strawberries stay on the top 5.9 in (14.98 cm) of the soil. Hence, soil that is rich in hummus is preferable for these plants.
• The land on which this fruit is grown should not have earlier cultivations of potato, eggplant, raspberry, tomato, and pepper.
• This fruit plant should also not be grown repeatedly on the same land. Since they need acidic soil, soils with a pH of 4.5-5.5 must be limed.
• This fruit is known to ripen very quickly. So fresh strawberries should be immediately packaged or consumed. Frozen strawberries can be stored longer than fresh strawberries.

Phytochemicals And Genetics

Most people across the globe like strawberries because of their juicy and fresh taste. However, this fruit not only tastes good but also has a lot of nutritional value.

Strawberries are packed with several vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals, antioxidants, and dietary fiber. Phytochemicals are natural, healthy plant compounds. Let us look at the genes of this fruit and some details on the phytochemicals present in them.

• Strawberries have anthocyanins in them. These phytochemicals are responsible for the red coloration of strawberries.
• Anthocyanins are also healthy for humans to consume, thus making strawberries a go-to health snack.
• Strawberries also have Vitamin C. Interestingly, strawberries have more amount of Vitamin C than some citrus fruits like oranges.
• Strawberries grow in bushes. Hence, this fruit is considered a part of the rose family. Like roses, strawberries are also perennial.
• When it comes to the genetics of this fruit, on average, strawberries have 200 seeds.

FAQs

Does every strawberry have 200 seeds?
Not all strawberries need to have exactly 200 seeds. Some may have slightly more seeds, and others may have slightly fewer.

What are strawberries' real names?
Strawberry is the real name of the fruit. Like every other flora and fauna, this fruit also has a binomial name, and it is Fragaria ananassa.

Why are strawberries bad for you?
Strawberries have a high fiber content. Eating them in large quantities can lead to stomach upset.

How does strawberry grow?
Strawberries are known to grow from runners. Runners are stems that have buds. These buds then develop into new plants.

Where is strawberry grown?
Strawberries have a wide range of habitats. In the wild, strawberries can also grow in woodlands, dunes, meadows, or beaches.

What type of fruit is a strawberry?
Even though the word "strawberry" has a berry, it is not considered a true berry. On the contrary, strawberry is considered to be an accessory fruit.

Where do strawberries originate from?
The hybrid breeds of strawberry originated in Europe. However, Native Americans were known to consume them before they were cultivated in Europe.

How many calories are there in a strawberry?
A strawberry contains only six calories. This is why this fruit is a healthy choice to include in the daily diet.

How to make a strawberry shortcake?
Strawberry shortcake is made using the ingredients used to make a vanilla cake with added strawberries and whipped cream. Vanilla cake is made with flour, sugar, butter, vanilla essence, baking powder, and eggs.

When is the strawberry season?
Strawberries grow in warm temperatures. These plants thrive the most in sunny weather. Therefore, March and April make the perfect months during the spring or summer season for them to grow.

How to make strawberry preserves?
To make strawberry preserves, you have to mix fresh strawberries with vinegar, sugar, and salt. Once mixed, these ingredients have to boil and be stirred for 15-20 minutes.