Wednesday’s Helping: Strawberries

The heart-shaped fruit that is a turn-on

Nature has an attractive natural beauty when it comes to these sweet hearts. Mature strawberries have an attractive deep red color, intense juiciness, and a lot of sweet and tangy flavor. Look for red flesh, yellow seeds that make dimples on the outer skin, and the leafy green cap and stem that almost resembles a crown. And yes, the shape of strawberries resembles a valentine. There are more than 600 known varieties that may vary in texture, size, and sweet flavor. Smaller ripe strawberries tend to have the strongest flavor. Ripe strawberries also have a distinct and pleasant fragrance.

The ancient Romans grew and domesticated strawberries, which had been taken from the wild. The modern strawberry is derived from the product of an inadvertent cross breeding process between American varieties and European varieties. The process has also taken a few centuries. The fruit was mostly enjoyed by rich until the mid 1800s when railroads could carry them across great distances.

Select berries that are plump, firm, and lack mold. Avoid strawberries that have discoloration. Remember that fresh strawberries are very perishable, so keep them chilled. Consume them within a few days to a week of purchasing them at the grocery store.

Eating strawberries has several health benefits. Studies have shown that they are a proven anti-cancer agent. Strawberries also contain phenol, which helps the body absorb oxygen and promote a healthier cardiovascular system.