When you think of strawberries, you usually think of warm days in the sunshine, not shivering in the final weeks of Winter. It makes sense, as the peak of strawberry season are the months of May and June. So it’s understandable if you’re a bit confused as to why we would be celebrating this beautiful and healthy red berry on February 27 each year.
The origins of and whose idea it was to celebrate National Strawberry Day in February are unclear, but it has been celebrated since at least 2013. As for the reason for the season? Well, the heart-shape and bright red color make it a symbol of love that is perfect to round out the romantic month of February.
The History of the Strawberry
Strawberries have grown in the wild for thousands of years, and it was the French who first brought this delicious red berry into their gardens for cultivation in the 14th century. Not long afterward, English Archbishop Thomas Wolsey created the winning combination of strawberries and cream for Henry VIII’s court that so many people still enjoy today.
However, the early species of strawberries were very different from those we feast on now. It wasn’t until 1712 that a French excursion to Chile resulted in the mixing of different types of strawberry plants, and the garden strawberry we know today was born.
In the early 19th century, love for strawberries spread quickly when strawberries and cream were seen as a luxury, and the invention of the railroad meant that they could be transported quickly all around the country. New York produced bumper crops and farms also sprang up in Arkansas, Louisiana, Florida, and Tennessee. Now, 75% of U.S. strawberries are grown in California, but they are still grown in every state.
The berry’s name may be due to a number of reasons: some argue that it comes from the Old English “streawberige” because of its straw-like fronds. Others suggest that they’re so called because of farmers mulching them with straw, and there are also accounts that the berries were sold on straw skewers at markets.
Health Benefits of Strawberries
There’s a lot to love about these sweet snacks. They’re lower in calories and sugar than fruits like apples or bananas, yet they’re high in fiber and other key nutrients.
The health benefits of strawberries are plentiful. They naturally deliver vitamins, fiber, and particularly high levels of antioxidants known as polyphenols—without any sodium, fat, or cholesterol. They are among the top 20 high-antioxidant fruits and are a good source of manganese and potassium. Just one serving—about eight berries—provides more vitamin C than an orange.
Strawberries’ high levels of vitamin C and other antioxidants help reduce the risk of serious health conditions like cancer, diabetes, stroke, and heart disease. By curbing free radicals and oxidative stress, the plant chemicals in strawberries may lower too high levels of inflammation that can hurt your immune system, and contribute better health of your gut, skin, joints, and even your brain.
Strawberries also have minerals such as calcium, iron, potassium, folate, and magnesium, along with antioxidants called anthocyanins. Those are healthful plant compounds that give strawberries their red color. The amount of anthocyanin goes up as the fruit ripens. That means the redder the fruit, the more antioxidants it has.
How to Pick and Store Strawberries
Choose medium-sized berries that are firm, plump, and deep red. Once picked, they don’t ripen further. Redder berries are riper than pink or greenish fruits, and their sugar content goes up as they ripen. At the same time, the acidity goes down. That means darker berries are likely to taste sweeter than their lighter counterparts.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture Pesticide Data Program found that strawberries are often contaminated with pesticide residue. In fact, strawberries have taken the number one spot on the Environmental Working Group’s Dirty Dozen list since 2016. USDA tests found 99 % of conventionally grown strawberries contained residue of at least one pesticide, with more than 81 different pesticides found in total. About 20 percent of the sprays used leave residues on the berries, while the remaining 80% are fumigants sprayed on the soil where the strawberries are grown. One of the fumigants used in conventional strawberry farming is chloropicrin, an ingredient in tear gas!
Because of this, organic strawberries are definitely a healthier option.
After you bring the berries home, cut off any rotten or bruised pieces before you store them. They’ll last about a week in the fridge. Refrigerate them in an airtight container lined with a paper towel – the paper towel will help absorb any excess moisture. Store them separately from any meat, poultry, or fish in your refrigerator. When you’re ready to eat, run them under running water, dry them, remove their caps—where most of the pesticide residue is found.
Strawberries are Great in Almost Anything
One of the many wonderful things about strawberries is how versatile they are in dishes from salads and shortcakes to margaritas and mojitos.
Here are some fabulous strawberry recipes for you to try out tonight:
58 Recipes to make with Fresh-Picked Strawberries – Southern Living
34 Strawberry Recipes You’ll Want to Make Forever – Eating Well
43 Strawberry Recipes that Aren’t Just Shortcake – Bon Appetit
30 Best Strawberry Recipes – What to Make with Strawberries – Pioneer Woman
5 Fun Facts About Strawberries
- They were a Roman remedy! The Ancient Romans believed the fruit had medicinal purposes and prescribed them for minor ailments like sore throats, as well as more serious problems like a fever and long-term issues like depression.
- They’re not like any other fruit! The Strawberry is not technically considered a berry as its seeds are on the outside (around 200 of them) — in fact, it’s the only fruit with external seeds, giving it its own special category.
- Like snowflakes, each one is unique! Strawberries’ flavor can be very variable, and this is because they’re influenced by a variety of factors, including type, the weather, and the time of harvest.
- They’re part of a floral family. The tasty fruit is a member of the rose family, which explains its fragrant scent and bright color.
- They’re great for your love life. The magnesium, potassium, and folate found in strawberries mean they encourage a healthy libido and makes this romantic fruit an aphrodisiac for many. Now does the February “month of love” celebration make more sense?
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Photo Credit: Michal Urbanek / Shutterstock.com