strawberry

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cultivated strawberries

The fruit of the strawberry plant, the most widespread temperate-climate plant in the world. Some strawberry varieties are originally from the temperate regions of Europe, while others are from North and South America. Strawberry varieties vary in size, texture, color and flavor. The smaller, juicier and tastier wild strawberry is the ancestor of the cultivated strawberries.

Buying

Choose: firm, glossy and well-colored strawberries. Check the condition of strawberries at the bottom of the container.

Avoid: soft, dull and moldy strawberries.

Preparing

Wash strawberries before hulling, when about to use. Use cold water without letting them soak.

Serving Ideas

Strawberries are very often eaten plain, whole, cut or crushed. They can be eaten raw with yogurt or ice cream, dressed with whipped cream or alcohol, or dipped in a chocolate fondue. Strawberries can also be added to fruit salads, crepes, ice cream or sorbets. Less attractive strawberries can be cooked in pies, cookies, mousses, soufflés, flans, puddings and cakes. Strawberries are used decoratively, to garnish hors d'oeuvres or cheese platters.

Storing

Strawberries are perishable. Avoid exposing them to sunlight or leaving them at room temperature.

In the fridge: 2-3 days, packed loosely, unwashed and unhulled, after removing any damaged strawberries. Cover to avoid their smell being absorbed by other foods.

In the freezer: whole, sliced, quartered or crushed, with or without sugar, after removing any underripe or overripe strawberries. Strawberries will keep their shape if not completely defrosted.

Nutritional Information

wild strawberries

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For more information on strawberry, visit Britannica.com.

Low-growing perennials, spreading by stolons, with fruit consisting of a fleshy receptacle, and “seeds” in pits or nearly superficial on the receptacle. The strawberry in the United States is derived from two species: Fragaria chihensis, which grows along the Pacific Coast of North and South America, and F. uirginiana, the eastern meadow strawberry, both members of the order Resales. See also Rosales.

The strawberry is the most universally grown of the small fruits, both in the home garden and in commercial plantings. Home garden production is possible in nearly all of the states, provided water can be supplied where rainfall is insufficient. Commercial production is important in probably three-fourths of the states. The following states are large producers: Oregon, California, Tennessee, Michigan, Louisiana, Washington, Arkansas, Kentucky, and New York. See also Fruit.

Fruit of Fragaria spp., a perennial herb of American origin, introduced into the UK around 1600. An 80-g portion is a rich source of vitamin C; provides 1.6 g of dietary fibre and supplies 20 kcal (85 kJ). The alpine strawberry is Fragaria vesca semperflorens, a variety of the European wild strawberry.

Sixteenth-century author William Butler wrote this tribute to the strawberry: "Doubtless God could have made a better berry, but doubtless God never did." Red, juicy and conically shaped, the strawberry is a member of the rose family and has grown wild for centuries in both the Americas and Europe. The Romans valued the fruit for its reputed therapeutic powers for everything from loose teeth to gastritis. However, it wasn't until the late 13th century that the plant was first cultivated. The most common American variety is the result of several centuries of crossbreeding of the wild Virginia strawberry (North America's main native strawberry) and a Chilean variety. It's probably today's most hardy berry and is able to withstand both shipping and storage. More flavorful, however, are European Alpine strawberries-the tiny, exquisitely sweet wild strawberries of France known as fraises des bois ("strawberries of the woods"). They're considered by many to be the "queen of strawberries." Strawberries vary in size, shape and color (some are off-white or yellowish). In general, the flavor of the smaller berries is better than that of the larger varieties since the latter are often watery. Fresh strawberries are available year-round in many regions of the country, with the peak season from April to June. Choose brightly colored, plump berries that still have their green caps attached and which are uniform in size. Avoid soft, shriveled or moldy berries. Do not wash until ready to use, and store (preferably in a single layer on a paper towel) in a moistureproof container in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days. Fresh strawberries are wonderful eaten with cream, macerated in wine or liqueur or used in various desserts. Canned and frozen strawberries are also available. Commercial strawberry products include preserves, jams, jellies, syrups and various desserts. Strawberries are an excellent source of vitamin C and also provide some potassium and iron.

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• berry
• Red

Dansk (Danish)
n. - jordbær

idioms:

• strawberry blonde    blond hår med svag rød farve
• strawberry mark    modermærke, fødselsmærke

Nederlands (Dutch)
aardbei

Français (French)
n. - fraise

idioms:

• strawberry blonde    femme aux cheveux blond vénitien
• strawberry mark    tache de vin

Deutsch (German)
n. - Erdbeere

idioms:

• strawberry blonde    rotblond
• strawberry mark    Muttermal

Ελληνική (Greek)
n. - (φυτολ.) φράουλα, φραουλιά, φραουλί χρώμα, (καθομ.) κοκκινίλα χαρακτηριστική των μπεκρήδων
adj. - φραουλής

idioms:

• strawberry blonde    κοπέλα με ροδόξανθο μαλλί
• strawberry mark    (παθολ.) ροδόχρους σπίλος

Italiano (Italian)
fragola

idioms:

• strawberry blonde    biondo ramato
• strawberry mark    voglia di fragola

Português (Portuguese)
n. - morango (m)

idioms:

• strawberry blonde    cabelos (m pl) ruivo-amarelados
• strawberry mark    nevo (m) (Pat.)

Русский (Russian)
клубника, земляника

idioms:

• strawberry blonde    рыжеватая блондинка
• strawberry mark    красноватое родимое пятно

Español (Spanish)
n. - fresa, frutilla

idioms:

• strawberry blonde    pelirroja
• strawberry mark    antojo, marca (de nacimiento)

Svenska (Swedish)
n. - jordgubbe
adj. - rödblond, rödaktig

中文（简体）(Chinese (Simplified))
草莓, 草莓色, 紫红色

idioms:

• strawberry blonde    长着略带金黄的红色头发的女郎
• strawberry mark    红色胎记

中文（繁體）(Chinese (Traditional))
n. - 草莓, 草莓色, 紫紅色

idioms:

• strawberry blonde    長著略帶金黃的紅色頭髮的女郎
• strawberry mark    紅色胎記

한국어 (Korean)
n. - 딸기, 양딸기

日本語 (Japanese)
n. - イチゴ, いちご色, 苺

idioms:

• strawberry blonde    赤みがかったブロンド
• strawberry mark    イチゴ状血管腫

العربيه (Arabic)
‏(الاسم) فاكهه الفراوله (صفه) لون أحمر صارخ‏

עברית (Hebrew)
n. - ‮תות שדה, תות גינה‬

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