Strawberry Fact Sheet

Trivia

• How many seeds?
  On the average, there are 200 tiny seeds in every strawberry.
• How many strawberries do Americans eat?
  According to USDA statistics, the average American eats 4.85 pounds of fresh and frozen strawberries each year.
• Do small berries taste better than large ones?
  Flavor is influenced by growing conditions, stage of ripeness when harvested and the variety. Size is not a factor in determining flavor.

• For strawberries to stay fresh, do not wash them right away. Store them in a large container with a dry paper towel at the bottom. Seperate the berries by layering with paper towels. Just before using, wash strawberries with the caps attached under a gentle spray of cool water. For best flavor, allow berries to reach room temperature.
• Choose locally grown strawberries during the harvesting season; they will be the freshest and most flavourful.
• When picking strawberries, try to pick early in the morning or later in the day when the fruit is cool. Strawberries are best used within 2-3 days of picking.
• To keep strawberries from absorbing large quantities of water, hull after washing. A salad spinner works well for removing excess water from berries.
• When freezing, mix equal amounts of sugar and water. Stir over medium heat until sugar is dissolved and mixture is clear. Cool the mixture completely. Measure one cup of stemmed and sliced strawberries into a pint sized freezer bag. Pour 1/2 to 2/3 cup of the sugar water mixture into the bag... just enough to completely cover the berries. Seal and freeze the bag in a single layer. Because the moisture content of strawberries varies throughout the season, it's recommended that home frozen strawberries be used in beverages and sauces, not in recipes where liquid variations could make a difference.

• The Strawberry Facts Page.