50 Interesting Facts About Strawberries That Will Amaze You
Strawberries are one of the most beloved fruits in the world. Their sweet, juicy taste and vibrant red color make them irresistible. But there’s a lot more to these berries than meets the eye.
From their unique anatomy to their rich history, strawberries have some fascinating stories to tell. Read on for 50 amazing facts about everyone’s favorite fruit. You’ll never look at strawberries the same way again!
A Brief History of Strawberries
Before diving into all the nitty-gritty details, let’s go over some strawberry basics.
1. Strawberries Are Not Berries
Despite their name, strawberries are not true berries. True berries have seeds on the inside, while strawberry seeds are on the outside. Technically, strawberries are aggregate accessory fruits.
2. They Originated in Ancient Rome
Wild strawberries grew in the forests of France and Italy as far back as ancient Roman times. People thought they had medicinal properties and used them to treat everything from depression to fainting.
3. Strawberry Cultivation Began in the 14th Century
It wasn’t until the 14th century that French farmers began cultivating strawberries and breeding new varieties. King Charles V had 1200 strawberry plants in his royal garden!
4. The Modern Strawberry Was Born in the 18th Century
In the 1750s, a French nurseryman crossed a wild North American strawberry species with a Chilean strawberry species to create the large, luscious Fragaria x ananassa that we know and love today.
All About Strawberry Plants
Now let’s get into the biology and growing habits of the strawberry plant.
5. They Are Perennials
Strawberry plants are perennials, meaning they live for multiple years. A healthy plant will continue producing fruit year after year.
6. Runners Help Them Spread
Strawberries spread by sending out runners – stems that grow along the ground and produce new clone plants. This makes them easy to propagate.
7. White Flowers Bloom First
Before strawberries form, white flowers with 5-6 petals emerge from the plants. These flowers are usually hermaphroditic, containing both male and female parts.
8. It Takes 30-45 Days to Fruit
After pollination, it takes approximately 30-45 days for a strawberry flower to develop into a ripe fruit ready for eating.
9. Leaves Grow in Threes
Strawberry leaves usually grow in groups of three on each stem, with sawtooth edges. The leaves help the plant absorb sunlight for energy.
10. They Prefer Sandy Loam Soil
Strawberries thrive best in slightly acidic, well-drained soils. Sandy loam soil with a pH of 5.5-6.5 is ideal. Heavy clay soils can lead to rot.
Strawberry Growth Patterns and Requirements
Understanding how strawberries grow can help you cultivate them successfully!
11. Long Daylight Hours Stimulate Flowering
Most strawberry varieties need between 10-14 hours of daylight to stimulate flower bud development. This makes them “long-day” plants.
12. Frost Kills the Blooms
Once the flower buds emerge, frost can damage or kill them. Strawberry plants must be protected from freezing temperatures.
13. Ideal Growing Temperature is 60-80°F
Strawberries grow best with daytime temperatures of 60-80°F (15.6-26.7°C.) and nighttime temps around 45-55°F (7.2-12.8°C). High heat causes misshapen fruits.
14. Strawberries Stop Growing Below 40°F
When temperatures drop below 40°F, strawberry growth completely stops. Extended freezes will seriously damage crops.
15. Fruit Ripens 30-45 Days After Pollination
It takes about 30 to 45 days for a strawberry flower to develop into a ripe, red fruit after pollination occurs. Berries generally ripen 28 to 30 days after full bloom.
16. Strawberries Don’t Ripen After Picking
Once picked, strawberries no longer ripen. The fruits should be consumed within 3-5 days for ideal quality and flavor.
Strawberry Harvest Facts and Production
Now let’s get into some factoids about strawberry harvesting and production.
17. June-Bearing Strawberries Ripen All at Once
June-bearing strawberry varieties produce a single large crop in early summer. The berries all ripen within 2-3 weeks.
18. Everbearing Varieties Produce All Season
Everbearing strawberry varieties bear fruit continually in flushes throughout the growing season rather than one big harvest.
19. Harvest Only Fully Red, Plump Berries
Strawberries should be harvested when at least 3/4 of the fruit surface has turned bright red. Underripe ones won’t be sweet.
20. Harvest Them in the Morning
Picking strawberries in the early morning ensures they are cool, firm, and fully ripe. Heat hastens spoilage after harvest.
21. Use Containers to Avoid Bruising
Strawberries should be gently placed into shallow containers during harvest to prevent bruising and damage.
22. Store Them at 32-36°F Immediately
After picking, strawberries must be refrigerated immediately at 32-36°F to preserve freshness and shelf life.
23. Rinse Them Just Before Eating
Washing strawberries right after harvest makes them spoil faster. Only rinse them briefly before serving.
24. One Acre Yields 150,000 Pounds!
Under ideal growing conditions, a single acre of land can produce over 150,000 pounds of strawberries per year!
25. California Leads US Production
California produces over 80% of the strawberries grown in the United States, followed by Florida at a distant second.
26. The US Leads Global Production
As of 2020, the United States produces more strawberries than any other country, providing over 30% of the world’s production.
Strawberry Nutrition and Health Benefits
This sweet, low-calorie fruit is also nutritious and great for your health!
27. They’re Mostly Water
Strawberries are 91% water, making them a juicy, hydrating choice with few calories – only about 50 per cup.
28. High in Vitamin C
One serving provides over 100% of your daily vitamin C needs. Ounce for ounce, strawberries have more vitamin C than citrus fruits.
29. Excellent Source of Manganese
They provide 26% of your daily manganese, which supports bone health and metabolism.
30. Rich in Antioxidants
The anthocyanins that give strawberries their red pigment are powerful antioxidants that fight inflammation and disease.
31. May Improve Heart Health
Compounds in strawberries help reduce LDL and total cholesterol levels, lowering heart disease risk.
32. Can Aid Blood Sugar Control
Despite their sweetness, strawberries actually have a low glycemic index that prevents spikes in blood sugar.
33. Support Immune Function
Vitamin C, folate, and polyphenols in strawberries boost the immune system and fight illness.
34. Promote Healthy Skin and Hair
The anthocyanins in strawberries regenerate cells, improve skin elasticity and fight hair loss.
35. May Help Prevent Cancer
Research shows strawberries could slow the growth of cervical, breast and esophageal cancers.
36. Useful for Weight Loss
Their fiber keeps you full, while their low energy density means you can eat more for fewer calories.
Fascinating Strawberry Fun Facts
Here are some additional interesting tidbits about everyone’s beloved berry:
37. There Are 600 Strawberry Varieties
While the most popular commercial variety is the Chandler, there are over 600 different strawberry cultivars grown worldwide. These varieties stem from five or six original wild species that are members of the rose family
38. All US States Grow Them
Thanks to their versatility, strawberries are grown commercially in every single US state today.
39. Cultivation Dates Back 4500+ Years
The first mention of strawberries occurred between 234-149 BC in the writings of Cato, a Roman Senator. The strawberry was first described in the literature as early as 1000 AD.
40. Strawberry-Rhubarb Pie Is a Classic
This unique springtime pairing has been traced back to pies served in England in the late 1800s.
41. There’s a Strawberry Festival in Ontario
Every June, the town of Stoney Creek in Ontario hosts the largest strawberry festival in Canada.
42. Fragrance Varieties Exist
Certain antique strawberry varieties have intensely aromatic flowers and fruits with a sweet, perfumed scent.
43. Some Turn Blue When Ripe
The Pineberry cultivar has a pineapple flavor and turns from red to blue when fully ripe.
44. Strawberry Leaves Can Substitute Tea
Dried strawberry leaves have a mild fruity flavor and contain vitamin C – they can be infused like herbal tea.
45. Strawberries Are Symbols of Love
In medieval Europe, strawberries were considered an aphrodisiac and associated with Venus, goddess of love.
46. Eating Them Can Cause Allergies
Up to 5% of kids and 2% of adults report experiencing strawberry allergies after ingesting this fruit.
47. Wild Strawberries Are Tiny
Unlike cultivated berries, wild woodland strawberry varieties produce petite fruits just 1cm in diameter.
48. Certain Types Remain White
Alpine strawberry varieties lack a gene needed to produce anthocyanin pigments, so their berries stay white.
49. Black & Blue Strawberries Exist
Through cross-breeding, researchers have developed gorgeous black and indigo-blue strawberry varieties.
50. The Largest Weighed Over 1 Pound
In 2015, a Japanese farmer grew an enormous strawberry weighing 18 oz – about the size of a pineapple!
The Sweet Truth About Strawberries
There you have it – 50 juicy facts about one of the world’s most beloved fruits. Strawberries delight the senses in many ways, from their luscious taste and vivid colors to their intoxicating aromas.
Beyond aesthetics, they offer remarkable nutritional and health benefits. Hopefully,
