Wild Strawberries

Seasons/Availability

Wild strawberries are available during spring and early summer.

Current Facts

There are two Wild strawberry varieties, Fragaria vesca, known as the Woodland strawberry or fraises des bois, and Fragaria chiloensis, known as the Coastal strawberry. Although red-fleshed Wild strawberries are most common, there are some Wild strawberries that are white with creamy yellow tones. These white varieties include Bush White, Pineapple Crush, Alpine Yellow and the most popular, Alpine White.

Description/Taste

Wild strawberries are characterized by their size, shape and flavor. Unlike cultivated strawberries, which can grow to be quite enlarged and plump, Wild strawberries are petite, their shape, conical and their flavor is far more complex than a cultivated strawberry. Notes of tartness, woodsiness and sweet undertones are typical of most Wild strawberries. White and Yellow Wild strawberries will generally have a higher sugar content with less acidic tendencies.

Applications

Wild strawberries are a culinary delicacy and should be treated as such. They are also quite perishable and thus, will need to be utilized within a few days of harvest. They are as versatile in savory recipes as sweet. They can play the principle ingredient in salads, salsas, ice cream, cocktails, jams, tarts and vinaigrettes. Complimentary pairings include cream, vanilla, coconut, caramel, mango, bacon, grilled chicken, buttermilk, aged cheeses, blue cheese, herbs such as basil, mint and arugula, chiles, pine nuts, hazelnuts, olive oil and citrus.

Geography/History

Wild strawberries are indigenous to both the Old World and New World. Fragaria chiloensis is native to North America. Its seeds were dispersed by birds in Chile, where it has been growing for thousands of years. Fragaria vesca is native to the Northern Hemisphere. Amédée-François Frézier brought back specimens of Fragaria chiloensis to the Old World where it was chance bred with Fragaria vesca to create the cultivated strawberry, Fragaria x ananassa. Wild strawberries continue to grow wild throughout the Americas, Europe and the Pacific Islands. -

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