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*Strawberries were used
as a medicinal herb in the 13th Century in Rome. |
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*Strawberries have a
museum dedicated to them in Belgium! |
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*Strawberries are a
member of the rose family. |
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*Strawberries are the
National Symbol of the Zeta Tau Alpha women's fraternity. Legend has it that a
secret admirer sent them to one of their founding members, so one of their first
socials was a strawberry social!! |
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*Strawberries for
headaches??? They contain natural salicylates, an ingredient that's found in
aspirin! |
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*The
first important American variety, the Hovey, was grown in 1834 in
Massachusetts. |
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In Roman times, the
strawberry was valued for its therapeutic properties. |
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*Blackberries are very
high in Vitamin C and fiber! |
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Have you ever eaten a
double strawberry? Legend holds that if you break it in half and share it with a
member of the opposite sex, you will soon fall in love with each other. |
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*Strawberries are vital
for super skin! They contain vitamin C, which helps keep skin firm and smooth.
Strawberries also contain Vitamin A, which is vital to healthy hair and skin. |
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*Blackberries and
strawberries are very high in ellagic acid which is an antioxidant that acts as
a scavenger to help make potential cancer-causing chemicals inactive.
Ellagic Acid reduces the genetic damage caused by carcinogens like tobacco smoke
and air pollution. They also contain other antioxidants that help lower
cholesterol and ward off cardiovascular disease. |
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*Processing, such as
cooking and freezing berries do not affect the phytochemical properties that
they contain! This means that value-added products, such as our nectars, ciders,
& jams etc... are still high in the healthy stuff!!! |
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*Blackberries are effective
in the treatment of stomach problems, such as nausea, so we have given samples
to chemotherapy patients to try. Some of these patients have come back and
bought the nectar by the case, so there must be something to it! |
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*Blackberries are one of the
few fruits that contain heart-protective Vitamin E. Berries also
strengthen blood vessels , protecting eyesight and reducing heart disease and
risk! |
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*Strawberries and
Blackberries are fat free! |
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*Blackberries and
Strawberries contain the highest levels of phytoestrogens, which have a possible
roll in prevention of breast & cervical cancer. |
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*Some of the antioxidants
in berries help fight the aging process! Blackberries are high in anthocyanins,
which give them their color. These specific antioxidants help fight off the
process of aging by fighting off the diseases associated with old age. Think
about a metal saw rusting due to oxidation, the body deteriorates due to the
effects of oxidation.
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The second wife of Henry
VIII, Queen Anne Boleyn (1507-36), had a strawberry-shaped birthmark on her
neck. Unfortunately, some claimed this proved she was a witch. |
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**Most of the previous facts come from the Northland Berry News,
and the USDA |
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How do you
say...
Strawberry??? |
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Spanish--Fresa,
Italian--Fragola,
French--Fraise,
Russian--Klubnika |
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Japanese--Ichigo,
Hawaiian--Ohelo-papa,
German--Erdberre,
Finnish--Mansikka,
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Blackberry?? |
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Spanish--Mora,
German--die
Brombeere,
French--mure,
Italian--la
mora,
Dutch--Braambles |
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Nutritional
Value of
Strawberries |
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One serving of eight medium sized strawberries contains:
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*140% of
the US RDA allowance of Vitamin C |
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*20% of
the daily value for folic acid |
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*NO FAT!!!
NO SODIUM!!! Cholesterol Free!!! YEA!!! |
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*Only 50
Calories! |
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*Source of
potassium, folacin, and dietary fiber. |
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Picking Directions |
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When picking, be sure the cap remains
on the strawberry by pinching the stem of the berry between the thumb and
forefinger. (The cap is the green top). This procedure will prevent
damage to both the fruit and the strawberry plant. When selecting berries
look for the ones that are firm, yet fully ripe (Red all the way to the top!!!
It will not ripen after being picked!!!!!! If you pick a green berry--you will
have a green berry!). Store ripe berries in the refrigerator, but do not
remove the caps or wash the berries until you are ready to use them. When
caps are removed before use, the berries lose some of their moisture.
Washing early tends to bruise them and the berries lose their freshness.
Arrange berries in a shallow container, or in picking container, and keep at 35
degrees F. for best results.
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Any strawberry or blackberry
questions? If so--email them to
laura@southerngracefarms.com! |
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Fun Facts
About Berries!
