Berries

2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29

Strawberry is a genus of plants from the Rosaceae family and is the only fruit in the world whose seeds are located on the outside of the shell.

Strawberries with their fragrant and sweet taste are the most popular fruit in the world. There are more than 600 varieties of strawberries that vary in taste, size and texture. There is also varieties of strawberriesthat are cultivated and varieties that grow wild. Wild strawberries are much smaller in size, but have a much stronger distinctive taste.

History of strawberries

The cultivation of strawberries began before the Christian era and they were revered among many of the ancient Romans. After the fall of Rome, strawberries lost their popularity, which returned to Europe in the Middle Ages. During this time, their healing properties become revered.

In 1714, French engineers sent to Chile and Peru discovered that strawberries in this region were much larger than those grown in Europe. They brought this variety to France, but the plants did not thrive until there was a cross between this species and a North American strawberry variety that was planted nearby. The result is a strawberry hybrid, which is large, juicy and sweet and is rapidly gaining popularity in Europe.

Until the middle of the 19th century, strawberries were considered a luxury fruit and were consumed only by wealthy people. Today, the United States, Canada, France, Italy, Japan, Australia and New Zealand are among the largest commercial producers of strawberries.

Composition of strawberries

Strawberries are an excellent source of vitamin C and manganese. They are also a very good source of dietary fiber and iodine. Strawberries are a good source of potassium, folate, vitamin B2, vitamin B5, vitamin B6, omega 3 fatty acids, magnesium, copper, and vitamin K.

Strawberries they also contain many useful phytonutrients, including flavonoids, anthocyanidins and ellagic acid.

144 g of strawberries contain 43.20 calories, 0.88 g of protein and 0.53 g of fat.

Selection and storage of strawberries

When the choice of strawberries it is necessary to select those fruits that are firm, fleshy, without mold and have a shiny, deep red color. Medium strawberries are often much more fragrant than those that are too large.

Like most fruits, strawberries are very volatile and therefore great attention must be paid to their handling and storage. Before storing in the refrigerator, all strawberries that are moldy or damaged must be removed. It is also necessary to keep strawberries unwashed. Stored in the refrigerator, they will stay fresh for a day or two.

When freezing strawberries, they need to be washed and dried beforehand and thus will be preserved for up to a year. Adding a little lemon juice to the fruit will help preserve their color.

Strawberries in cooking

Strawberries are one of the fruits that are most widely used in confectionery. They are used to make some of the most delicious strawberry cakes, strawberry creams and cakes with strawberries, strawberry nectar and natural juices, and strawberry cheesecake is a real delight for the senses.

From strawberries you can also make homemade strawberry jam, strawberry jam or delicious strawberry jam. Be sure to try lemonade with strawberries and strawberry sangria - you will not regret it!

They are most useful and delicious in their natural state, but dried strawberries are a great addition to muesli in winter. Strawberry compotes are another option for strawberry consumption during the cold months.

Strawberries are combined wonderful with champagne, cream and chocolate. One of the most delicious creams are strawberry.

Benefits of strawberries

Strawberries are among the foods that contain measurable amounts of oxylates, natural substances in plants, animals and humans. When oxylates become too concentrated in body fluids, they can become sugary and cause health problems. For this reason, people with pre-existing kidney or bile problems should avoid eating strawberries.

Strawberries also contain goitrogens, which are also natural substances found in some foods and can affect thyroid function. People with pre-existing and untreated thyroid problems should avoid eating strawberries for this reason.

The health benefits of strawberries can be summarized as follows:

- Strawberries are a powerful antioxidant due to their high content of phenols. Strawberries, like other berries, are extremely rich in phenols. In strawberries, these phenols are represented by anthocyanins (especially anthocyanin 2) and by elagotanins. Anthocyanins are responsible not only for the deep red color of strawberries, but are also powerful antioxidants, which have been repeatedly proven to protect cellular structures in the body from the harmful effects of oxygen. The unique content of phenols in strawberries also makes them fruits that protect the heart, help fight cancer and have anti-inflammatory effects.

- Phytonutrients in strawberries promote optimal health;

- The content of elagotanins in strawberries helps reduce the risk of cancer;

- Strawberries reduce the risk age-related macular degeneration, which is a major cause of vision loss in the elderly;

- Protection against rheumatoid arthritis

A study shows that high doses of vitamin C in strawberries provide protection against inflammatory polyarthritis, a form of rheumatoid arthritis.

Harm from strawberries

Strawberries are one of the foods that are most commonly associated with allergic reactions. For this reason, they should not be consumed in pure, isolated form to avoid side effects. Some of the most common symptoms of food allergies are eczema, hives, skin rash, headaches, sneezing, itchy eyes, wheezing, gastrointestinal upset, depression, insomnia and hyperactivity.

To reduce the risk of an allergic reaction, it is recommended that strawberries be consumed with milk or cream, because dairy products somewhat neutralize the negative effects of allergens.

Use of strawberries

In addition to a number of valuable healing properties, strawberries also have a beneficial effect on the skin. They are used in the making of face masks, have a rejuvenating and nourishing effect. From strawberries can be prepared peeling with exfoliating effect. They successfully fight acne and skin problems. In addition, they work very well on the teeth and at the same time whiten the teeth. For yellowed teeth it is recommended rubbing them with a slice of strawberry.