Strawberries and cream served on the lawns of Wimbledon

It is June and at this time of year we expect three things, some sun, tennis on TV and strawberries.  It would be great if this year they could all come along together.  Fingers crossed!

The tennis tournament played each year at The All England Club, Wimbledon, in south east London is famous for serving strawberries and cream to the tennis fans that come to this major tennis event every year.  About 27,000 kilos of strawberries are served over two weeks with 7,000 litres of cream on top.  However, strawberries can be bought in from around the world so they can be eaten all through the year.

Strawberries were first grown by the Romans as early as 200 BC.  In the middle ages they created a strawberry soup that was often served at weddings because it was seen as a type of love potion.  In the sixteenth century they were put into cone shaped baskets and these could be described as an early packaged food.

In Britain the strawberry picking season under glass starts in mid-April.  The plants are prompted to start growing by heat and extra lighting in February.  This makes them think the longer summer days are here already.  Another crop can be grown under cover so that it can be harvested in the autumn.  The plants outside in the fields are ready to pick in early June, the actual time depends on the weather and the amount of rain there has been.  Too much rain means the strawberries can rot in the ground, not enough rain and the fruit is not very big.

Growing strawberries is not difficult and they grow well in a sunny situation.  If there is too much shade the leaves grow more than the berries.  When you get a shoot from the main plant these are planted in the ground to make another plant.  Once the shoot has established itself the shoot can be cut and you now have two plants.  The second plant can now been replanted in a new area.

The best known and most popular type of strawberry is called Elsanta.  It is delicious to eat and looks great as well.  Nearly 80% of the strawberries found in supermarkets during the summer will be this variety.  You can also find wild strawberries in the country and these are usually smaller in size but have lots of flavour and are great for making jam.

Here are some fascinating facts about strawberries: -

• There are about 200 seeds in a strawberry.
• If you eat 100g of strawberries there are 50 calories and absolutely no fat.
• Despite strawberries being red in colour they can help whiten your teeth.  The acid in the fruit helps remove any stains on the enamel of your teeth.
• Eight strawberries have more vitamin C that an orange.
• They help to reduce cholesterol that is the fat that clogs up the blood vessels in the heart.
• Both the strawberry and raspberry are members of the rose family.

Strawberries are too good to eat just in a few weeks of the year such as June so why not enjoy them during the rest of the year.

Date

4/6/2008