"Tastes like strawberries, on a summer evening," sings the Century's eminent heartthrob Harry Styles in his produce-inspired hit songWatermelon Sugar. "I want more berries," he chants, then proceeds to devour slice after slice of watermelon. Clearly, Mr Styles has a penchant for deep-red fruits. Or does he?
Styles, like most, would perhaps be aghast to learn that strawberries arenot in fact berriesdue to some strict definitions. But watermelons are, so it seems he still got his wish. And before you get bogged down on that one, here's another fact: strawberries were once white (and some were even yellow). Boom!
'How now?' you ask. It involves wild plants in southern Chile, a long boat ride to Brittany, and a French garden.
"The modern strawberry emerged in Brest, France, in 1766," Cecilia Céspedes tells SBS Food. She works as an agroecological researcher for the Chilean government agency INIA.
While France is where the strawberry was cultivated, it's not where it originated. "It was a cross offragaria virginianafrom the United States withfragaria chiloensis[from Chile], which is why it's known as 'F. chiloensis x F. virginiana',"Céspedes explains.
It was this latter variety from South America that really shakes things up, since it was white.
Chile’s white strawberry would be cross cultivated with the North American variety to form the fruit we eat today.
The Spaniards, in their exploration and conquest of Chile, wrote extensively of this incredible fruit they saw cultivating abundantly. They commented on its intense aroma, large size, and off-white hue, and considered it to be far superior to the strawberry variety they had back home. They also came across yellow-tinted varieties and were amazed at the sheer abundance of them.
They were so captivated that one Frenchman decided to take five of the white fruits with him back to Europe— no easy task given the length of such a journey.
"He gave two to the captain of the boat in exchange for the freshwater needed to water the strawberries, one to a minister and one to a professor to plant in France and the final one he left in the port of Brest," Céspedes says.
It was there that Chile's white strawberry would be cross-cultivated with the North American variety to form the strawberry we know today, consumed and venerated world-over— not just by British pop stars.
COOK UP STRAWBERRIES WITH ADAM LIAW
Episode guide | The Cook Up with Adam Liaw | Episodes 1 to 25
SBS Food has been busy cooking up a fresh new food show, The Cook Up with Adam Liaw, and with 200 episodes, it’s the biggest commission in the network’s history.
While it makes for a great story, the odyssey of those five strawberries in 1714 inadvertently led to the demise of the white strawberry in Chile, as the red type was commercialised. Before this, the white ones were eaten widely by the Indigenous Mapuche people long before the arrival of Europeans and are today considered a strong symbol of culture and heritage. They also taste better.
"The fruit offragaria chiloensisstands out for its great sweetness and aroma compared to the commercial strawberry," Céspedes says.
Even though one would be very hard pressed to find them on the shelf of a Chilean supermarket, Indigenous groups, particularly from the Nahuelbuta territory in the south, work to keep their precious strawberries growing.
The local municipality of Contulmo puts on a White Strawberry Festival every year to promote white strawberry cultivation, consumption and culture. Céspedes authored a reporttitledRescue and valuation of the white strawberrywith support from the Chilean governmentto raise awareness of its scarcity.
The white Chilean strawberry is a symbol of Indigenous cuisine and culture.
For the growers, farming these strawberries is a labour of love. "Despite low yields owing to climate change, exploitation of the lands and water shortages, farmers continue their cultivation", she explains.
Although a kilo of red strawberries sells for $1.90, their white predecessors go for upwards of $45. Despite this, there's hope that Chile's love for berries will help create a boutique market for the endemic Chilean fruit.
"In Chile, you can find strawberries in all sorts of food and drinks," explains Daniela Prado Frugone, a Chilean masseuse who has lived in Australia for seven years. "[There are] many strawberry desserts we enjoy in Chile, like strawberry kuchen (cakes introduced to Chile by German migrants), marmalades, cheesecakes and bavarois."
"Being originally from central Chile and having lived in different countries, I must say Chilean strawberries are the best in the world."
Traditional white strawberry recipes also continue to be popular. "The farmers in Nahuelbuta prepare strawberries with toasted corn flour as well as strawberry juices," says Céspedes. The popular 'borgoña', a strawberry-infused wine co*cktail, has become a national drink and is commonplace during celebrations on Chile's national day.
"Strawberries are one of the most popular fruits in the world, and in Chile this is no exception," says Prado. "Being originally from central Chile and having lived in different countries, I must say Chilean strawberries are the best in the world. For me, they are the sweetest and the most delicious."
The land lends itself to bountiful production of the fruit, helping make it a popular snack and addition to dishes.
With an insatiable appetite, optimal growing conditions and a strong list of strawberry dishes, the scope for popularising the white strawberry again is promising.
Perhaps even Harry Styles would be happy to lend a hand.
BERRY TASTY RECIPES
Strawberry and white chocolate blondies
Not to be confused with the American rockstar band, these treats are the distant cousins of the classic brownie. Instead of rich milk chocolate, white chocolate is the hero of this dish.
Strawberry shortcake
The classic American strawberry shortcake is closer to what we would call a scone than a cake. In Japan it’s made with a soft and pillowy sponge that is quite unrecognisable from the rustic country kitchen American version. Whichever your preference, it’s not a bad idea to start with the original. For one, it’s a much easier cake to make.
Strawberry, white chocolate and crème fraiche galette
This is my favourite flaky pastry recipe and it’s so versatile that I use it across sweet and savoury baking, swapping out the sugar for a herb or a spice if I’m making a savoury tart. Don’t be tempted to over work the dough or make the butter too small, the big chunks of butter will help to achieve the nice flaky result.
Simple strawberry sponge cake
A light and easy-to-bake sponge filled with a strawberry and cream filling and topped with a zesty lemon icing.
Strawberry love cake
This is my take on a sweet tradition from years gone by: Made with a few simple ingredients, a love cake would be made when a girl was courting, to show her cooking skills to a suitor.
FAQs
And before you get bogged down on that one, here's another fact: strawberries were once white (and some were even yellow).
Why did strawberry turn white? ›
White shoulders in strawberries are caused by temperature fluctuations during the growing season. Either excessively cold or hot temperatures can play a role. These temperature changes prohibit the strawberries from being able to ripen properly.
What is the real color of strawberry? ›
Strawberries are born green, so how are they turn red when they ripen? The strawberries at birth are small and green. They gradually grow but remain green. The red color only appears at the end of the ripening process, a few days before being picked.
Are white strawberry genetically modified? ›
The strawberries are not genetically modified, Whitaker said. "White or light-colored strawberries exist in nature," he explained. "In Japan, where they've really bred them to be something that's a really high-quality product that's available to anyone in the supermarket."
Are white strawberries naturally occurring? ›
White strawberries are a strawberry variety from Japan. The most popular variety, the jewel strawberry, has been around since 2012. The farmer who developed it spent years cross-breeding many types of strawberries to achieve a sweeter flavor, larger size, softer mouthfeel, and much paler color than its red relatives.
How strawberries were accidentally created? ›
It was the French who first accidentally pollinated the Chilean strawberry with the Virginia strawberry when pistillate Chilean plants were inter-planted with staminate Virginian plants and natural hybrids were made.
Are white strawberries rare? ›
Despite their fame as a luxury fruit, White Jewel strawberries are also considered rare as they are grown in limited quantities by Teshima in the Saga Prefecture.
Are white strawberries better than red? ›
Some enthusiasts say they taste sweeter than a red strawberry. Some varieties have an overly tropical flavor and smell, almost like a cross between a strawberry and a pineapple. One benefit of this super sweet factor is when they are added to desserts, smoothies or fruit salads, you often don't need to add extra sugar.
What is a white strawberry called? ›
White beach strawberries are also known as coastal strawberries, wild strawberries, Chilean strawberries (Frutilla Chilena) and South American strawberries. All of these white strawberries are members of Fragaria chiloensis.
Are black strawberries real? ›
Black Strawberries Don't Exist
It was made of resin and black spray paint. Perhaps this is where the black strawberry rumor began? Real strawberries can and do grow in several colors. Yet, Nu Plant Care warns that black strawberries don't exist, so don't fall for this scam.
Purple Wonder – “purple” strawberries do indeed exist. Again, these are not the photoshopped fakies presented on eBay. The first real purple strawberry was released by Burpee a few years ago. It hasn't caught on like the Pineberries have, but it is still a great option for a strikingly different strawberry.
Do strawberries come in other colors? ›
Sweet ripe strawberries (Fragaria spp.) come in colors ranging from deep burgundy to white and everything in between. Such variation attracts consumers and gardeners alike, making fruit color an important breeding target. Strawberry fruit receptacles vary in color due to different levels of anthocyanins.
Why are Japanese strawberries white? ›
The reason the strawberry is white is because growers like Teshima cut down on sunlight, which reduces anthocyanin levels. This pigment in fruits, which is naturally occurring, gives fruits and vegetables their colours.
Are white strawberries hybrid? ›
While there are several varieties of white strawberry, they are hybrids and don't grow true from seed. There are two strawberry species, Alpine (Fragaria vesca) and Beach (Fragaria chiloensis), that are true white strawberries.
Do white strawberries taste different? ›
Taste. The white color might make one think that the berries are tart or sour, but in fact, the opposite is true. They are sweeter than red strawberries. Some people say that a white strawberry tastes like a pineapple and melts into a sweet, candy-like aftertaste.
What does 🍓 mean in text? ›
The strawberry emoji is used in social-media posts relating to food and drink … and to anything related to strawberries: lip gloss, a pajama print, or even vaping. The little fruit emoji is also used in posts between girlfriends and sisters and in sentiments that are cute , sweet, and innocent.
How do you tell if strawberries are genetically modified? ›
Strawberries and Hybridization Are Strawberries GMOs? It is important to note there are currently no genetically modified strawberries on the market. If you see a “non-GMO” label on a package of strawberries, remember all strawberries are non-GMO, even if the label doesn't say so.
Why do strawberries have so much DNA? ›
Strawberries are octoploid, meaning that their cells each have eight duplicate copies of each chromosome. This gives the cells a lot of DNA, which means it is easier to extract a large amount of DNA that is visible to the naked eye.
Are white strawberries more expensive? ›
Expect to pay more for white strawberries than your regular berries. There are several types of white strawberries (like these White Jewel strawberries) and the few available are sold at upmarket fruit stores in Japan, often priced at over $10 for a single strawberry.
How much are white strawberries worth? ›
Because pineberries are naturally a lighter pink color and more rare than their red relative, they can be a bit more expensive. A 10-ounce container can cost around $6, while regular strawberries are around $5 a pound.
Keep in mind that since they are produced on a much smaller scale than regular strawberries, pineberries are usually more expensive.
What is the tastiest strawberry? ›
Camarosa strawberries are one of the most common and best-tasting strawberry varieties. This variety has a wonderful sweet flavor and produces big yields. The berries are large with good form and can easily stand up to storage and shipping.
Is Pineberry a real fruit? ›
Yes. Pineberries are relatives of the red, domesticated garden strawberry (Fragaria ananassa). Often considered a strawberry cultivar ("cultivated variety"), these plants were originally grown and selected for their unique appearance and taste.
How old is the oldest strawberry? ›
Strawberries are safe for babies beginning around ages 4 to 6 months old when solids are typically introduced. Because strawberries are not a common allergen, the biggest risk in feeding them to babies is introducing them too early, in which case the infant may gag or push the food back out of their mouth, warns Dr.
Are giant strawberries real? ›
This strawberry plant is a June bearing variety- you'll have giant, juicy strawberries to feast upon once every season, typically for a span of 2-3 weeks. Given proper care, June bearing strawberries will produce well for a period of 3-5 years before you'll be required to replant.
Do green strawberries exist? ›
Green strawberries are simply the unripened version of these same berries. While they should not be confused, there is a variety of strawberry native to Europe, known as Fragaria viridis, which lacks the traditional strawberry aroma and does not always turn color when ripe.
Do pineapple strawberries exist? ›
Yes, the pineapple strawberry - or pineberry -really exists! It resembles a real strawberry, but with a creamy yellow colour. But the biggest surprise is inside. This berry really tastes like pineapple.
Is there a rainbow strawberry? ›
Rainbow Treasure is a beautiful strawberry variety with white and pink blooms, and red, fairly large strawberries. Enjoy these sweet strawberries well into autumn. Rainbow Treasure is a beautiful strawberry variety with white and pink blooms. The actual berries are red and fairly large, with a sweet taste.
Are there rainbow strawberries? ›
But you have to be wary of photoshopped strawberries on the internet: bright blue, neon pink, bright green, black, or rainbow strawberries don't exist (in spite of outrageous claims from online retailers selling their seeds or plants).
Are there strawberries that aren't red? ›
Some strawberries are white. And, no, we're not talking about the unripe strawberries that change from small green berries to larger white berries that eventually turn red when they're ripe. There are actually several varieties of white strawberries that ripen and never turn red.
Small, yellow, flavorful alpine strawberry. Considered one of the best gourmet strawberries, Yellow Wonder has delightful aroma and fantastic flavor. Lacking the red color that attracts birds, fruits are spared, leaving more delicious harvests. Yellow Wonder berries are a luxurious, easy-to-pick treat.
Can you pick strawberries when they are white? ›
Pick only strawberries that are fully ripe and have turned completely red. Berries with any splotches of green, white or pink should be left on the plant to continue ripening; if picked at that stage, they will be hard and sour in taste.
Are white strawberries pineberries? ›
Pineberry is a white strawberry cultivar with red seeds and a pineapple-like flavor.
Why are California strawberries white inside? ›
Some strawberries are white inside because they have mutated, and the mutation has been taken and deliberately bred by growers because it looks interesting and makes the fruits more likely to sell. In some cases, white strawberries have other desirable traits, like size or firmness, which makes shipping easier.
Are white strawberries albino? ›
Albino Berries are a new white Strawberry that is sure to impress with its excellent flavour similar to a pineapple. They are a unique small berry, about the size of a nickel, which is a white to blush pink with bright red seeds. Perfect for any berry recipe!
Are white strawberries only in Japan? ›
They are super hard to grow and mostly (if not only) found in Japan. Because of this, you'll occasionally find them in very select spots throughout Canada and the USA – if you can find them at all. They're bred to be bigger, softer, and even sweeter than an average strawberry.
How rare is a white strawberry? ›
Despite their fame as a luxury fruit, White Jewel strawberries are also considered rare as they are grown in limited quantities by Teshima in the Saga Prefecture.
Why are white strawberries so expensive? ›
Years of breeding and a low yield rate make these strawberries more pricey than generic red strawberries. While these berries may be small, they take up a lot of space to grow, which also contributes to the high price.
What is the rarest strawberry? ›
The rare strawberry is known as the Shirou Houseki variety, or White Jewel, and sold for 1080 yen each.
Are white strawberries grown in Florida? ›
The 'white strawberry' is a new Florida crop
UF Professor Vance Whitaker bred the variety by cross-pollinating Japanese and Florida plants just in time for West Central Florida's harvesting season.
