Strawberries

On our Delhi farm in Norfolk County we grow 3 acres of June-bearing strawberries and 5 different varieties. We begin our harvest with Mohawk and Annapolis. Next follows our mid season variety, Jewel. The last varieties to ripen are Governor Simcoe and Serenity. Usually our strawberry season lasts four to five weeks.

We also grow an Ever-bearing strawberries.  These berries are genetically different from the June crop.  The plant produces berries throughout the summer beginning in late May.  They will continue to produce until first frost!  We produce two different varieties of ever-bearing berries; Albion and Seascape.

	Albion produces a large crop of delicious berries in June and continues to yield berries all summer with another crop in the fall. Albion is a very tasty, medium sized berry and it has an excellent shelf life.  This is a great variety for freezing.
You can also enjoy the sweet taste of our Seascape variety.  These bright red berries are perfect for any dessert and share the delicious taste of many of the June varieties.

Strawberries are:

 AN EXCELLENT SOURCE of vitamin C

A GOOD SOURCE of manganese

A SOURCEof fibre, folate

Key components of strawberries:

    Per Serving: 1/2 cup (125ml) raw strawberries                           

****One serving of Strawberries contains as much Vitamin C as an ORANGE!!****

Visit www.vhqfoods.ca for complete information on the health benefits of eating fruits & vegetables

Selection and Preparation

• Look for berries that are completely red with no white or green spots and have a sweet smell
• Avoid crushed berries and berries packed in juice-stained boxes
• Remove and damaged berries as soon as possible.  Trim damaged areas and use these berries in sauces, ice cream or in baking where appearance isn't important

Storage

• Store berries in the refrigerator with tops on, unwashed and lightly covered in a single layer
• Use within three to six days
• Just before serving, gently rinse under cold running water (avoid soaking berries because they will absorb water and lose flavour), gently pat dry with paper towel, remove tops

Freezing

• Strawberries may be frozen whole or sliced, with or without sugar, for up to 12 months
• To freeze without sugar, place in a single layer on a large tray or cookie sheet.  Freeze until firm (about one hour), pack in freezer bags drawing off as much air as possible, and seal
• To freeze with sugar, pack in rigid containers, sprinkling sugar between each layer.  For every 4 cups (1L) whole washed berries, allow 1/2 cup (125 ml) granulated sugar; for the same amount of sliced strawberries allow 3/4 cups (175ml) of sugar.

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