Have strawberries changed or have I?
Strawberries used to be one of my favorite fruits. I am continually disappointed when I bite into them lately and they have little flavor unless it's that slightly fermented taste. I am sure that large fruit distributors supply all the local grocers with bright-red, bruise-resistant product without any concern for flavor. However, even when I go picking in the short northeastern season, it's hit or miss. It's almost picking season and I want to know what varieties I should be looking for at the local farms. Any advice for finding a sweet but tart berry like I remember?
Best Answer
There are quite a few different strawberry cultivars. It'd be surprising if farmers didn't change which ones they plant in response to changing climatic and economic factors. Size and taste changes when they do that.
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How did strawberries change over time?
The strawberry is a cultivar, meaning simply that it has been greatly altered from its wild form, likely smaller than today's varieties. The new varieties are crossbred for greater resistance to disease and reliability. The evolution of the strawberry is one that until now, researchers knows little about.Why do strawberries taste different now?
As strawberries ripen, their sugar content rises from about 5% in unripe green fruit to 6\u20139% on ripening. At the same time, the acidity decreases, meaning ripe strawberries taste much sweeter. The ripening process is controlled by a hormone called auxin.Did strawberries used to be white?
And before you get bogged down on that one, here's another fact: strawberries were once white (and some were even yellow).Why are strawberries no longer sweet?
If your strawberries aren't sweet, look at your current soil conditions. Strawberries perform best in well-drained, fertile, and slightly acidic soils. In fact, these plants tend to yield more and are sweeter when grown in compost-enriched, sandy soil.Strawberry Shortcake 🍓 The Berry Big Harvest🍓 Berry Bitty Adventures
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
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