Strawberry

Strawberries: A Sweet Journey to Your Dinner Plate

One of the most beloved fruits of the summertime, strawberries bring a delightful splash of color and sweet taste to our tables. However, the journey from vine to plate isn’t always so sweet. Growing, harvesting, and shipping strawberries requires careful planning and knowledge of the science behind their production – and this blog post will walk you through the process.

From “Seeds” to Plants

Just like any other plant, strawberries need light and water to grow. As such, they are incredibly dependent on the climate. In the US, strawberries are grown in all fifty states – most prominently in California, Florida, and Oregon. With a focus on long days and cool nights, the ideal climate for strawberries is located in the American Midwest, specifically Michigan and Ohio - where relatively mild temperatures but long growing seasons provide perfect conditions for strawberry production.

All commercially grown strawberry plants are grown from cloned runners. As opposed to seed-grown plants, cloned runners are identical to their parent plant in terms of genetic characteristics. Cloning is accomplished with a process known as “tissue culture” in which pieces of tissue, generally the tips of strawberry plants, are carefully nurtured in a controlled environment to produce identical copies of that plant. Once the plants have grown to a certain size, they are transferred to the soil, where they are then planted to form a thick bed.

Harvesting and Shipping

The time of strawberry harvest depends greatly on soil type and climate; in the US, most farmers aim to harvest the berries in late May or early June. To ensure that the strawberries are within optimal ripeness, farmers check the aroma, size, and color of the berries during the harvest season. If a strawberry is too light or green, it is typically left for another day.

Once the normal harvest is complete, the next step is to transport the fruit to the store. Many farmers choose to ship their strawberries on pallets, with foam packaging and Styrofoam sheets used to prevent shifting and bruising during shipment. To make sure that the strawberries arrive in good condition, farmers often opt for air shipments, as air is generally less likely to cause damage than other types of transportation.

Protecting the Quality of Fruit

To ensure that strawberries keep their freshness, most growers and shippers place a cardboard box around them while they are en route to the store. This box helps to protect the berries from physical damage, and also aids in trapping the natural temperature and humidity of the strawberries to help them stay fresh throughout the trip. Strawberries require strict temperature control while being shipped as well – too hot, and they’ll spoil; too cold, and they’ll freeze.

In addition to temperature and humidity control, many shippers also use gas-controlled techniques to help maintain the quality of the strawberries. Ethylene gas is commonly used in this method, and helps to promote ripening of the fruit after it reaches the store.

From Store to Plate

Now that the strawberries have safely arrived to the store, it’s time for them to reach their final destination – your dinner plate. Once you have chosen the highest quality strawberries, there are a few key points to keep in mind when it comes to preserving their freshness. Store them with the stem-side up to allow air to circulate throughout the container and prevent moisture from collecting on the berries. When you remove strawberries from the container, store them flat so that the moisture can escape.

Of course, the best way to get the fullest flavor and nutrition out of your strawberries is to eat them as soon as possible. Make sure to rinse them, and enjoy them in any number of dishes. They’re the main flavors in many popular summer desserts, such as cobblers, pies, and tarts. But don’t forget that you can use them in savory dishes, too. Smart chefs know to use them as an excellent way to balance acidity in a dish.

No matter how you choose to enjoy them, strawberries are a rich source of vitamins and minerals, including loads of vitamins C, K, and B1, as well as iron, magnesium, and potassium. With their sweet flavor and juicy texture, they’re sure to brighten up any meal.

Eager to sample strawberries fresh off the vine? While strawberry production may be a complex process, you can easily find farms in your area that offer pick-your-own experiences. A great way to get the freshest possible fruit, picking your own also gives you an up-close look at how strawberries are cultivated and harvested, from field to plate.