I am a strawberry addict. Someone gave me this early out in my journey. I eat strawberries with everyting. I use strawberry lotions and creams and even shampoo and conditioner. LOL...
STRAWBERRY MY NEW FAVORITE FOOD!{thanks Amy for this info}
Strawberries "Doubtless God could have made a better berry, but doubtless God never did." - Dr. William Butler, 17th Century English Writer. The strawberry is a member of the rose family and is the first fruit of the spring/summer season. Below is a list of some interesting strawberry facts. • The American Indians were already eating strawberries when the colonists arrived. The berries were crushed and then mixed with cornmeal and baked into strawberry bread. The colonists, after tasting this bread, developed their own version of the recipe which was how Strawberry Shortcake came to be. • A popular legend about the strawberry is that if you break a double strawberry in half and share it with a member of the opposite sex, you will fall in love with each other. • The strawberry was a symbol for Venus, who was the Roman Goddess of Love. • Ounce for ounce, strawberries have more Vitamin C than citrus fruit. • Over 53% of seven to nine year olds picked strawberries as their favorite fruit. • California is the largest producer of domestically grown strawberries. The state supplies 80% of the strawberries grown in the United States. The peak quality and supply of strawberries grown in California is from March to May. Nutritional Information While strawberries are low in fat and calories they are naturally high in fiber, Vitamin C, folate, potassium and antioxidants. One cup (149g) of whole fresh strawberries contains 43 calories. In addition, a serving of strawberries will supply your minimum RDA of Vitamin A and the following nutrients: • Protein: 0.88 g • Carbohydrate: 10 g • Total Fat: 0.5 g • Fiber: 3.3 g • Iron: 0.6 mg • Vitamin C: 81.6 mg • Folacin: 25.5 mcg • Potassium: 239 mg Tips for Buying and Storing Fresh Strawberries Fresh strawberries should be used as soon as possible after purchasing to preserve the flavor, appearance and nutrient content. Strawberries do no ripen after they are picked, so select only those with a fresh shiny look and bright red color. Also, check that the green stems look fresh and are not wilted. If you do not plan on using the berries immediately, remove them from the container, arrange them in a single layer in a moisture proof container, cover loosely, and refrigerate. Strawberries should not be washed until shortly before serving. Wash the berries under a gentle spray of cool water. Allow the strawberries to reach room temperature before serving to ensure the best flavor. Extra water on strawberries causes their cells to break down more quickly, so only wash and cut up what you can consume that same day.