
Superfruit: strawberries and other red fruit
Slowly but surely, the warmer time of year is approaching, and with it also fresh, local fruit! One of the first heralds of summer is the strawberry, which is also rather elegantly referred to as “the queen of fruits”. Here you can find out why the superfruit is worthy of this name as well as which other fruits stand out with their great ingredients.
Fruits from the region
There are known to be around a thousand different strawberry varieties, which differ in appearance and aroma. These varieties have one thing in common: from a botanical point of view, they are not even berries, but rather an aggregate accessory fruit – the little yellow kernels (achene) on the outside are actually the seeds.
Locally grown strawberries are available from May to July. Waiting for strawberry season is worth it: regional fruits can fully ripen on the plant and develop their full aroma, and the short transport routes mean that hardly any vitamins or minerals are lost – and strawberries have a lot of them!
Superfruit strawberry
Although they are low in sugar and calories (around 32 kcal/100g) due to their high water content, the fruits are full of nutrients. Here one can really speak of a local superfruit:
Strawberries are one of the top vitamin C suppliers and even outperform citrus fruits. A small bowl of fresh strawberries (approx. 150g) covers the vitamin C requirements of an adult*.
The folic acid content (belonging to the group of B vitamins) and the content of the minerals potassium, iron, magnesium and calcium are particularly high.
Even when it comes to secondary plant substances, the strawberry shines: it contains what we call polyphenols, which are plant-based colours that give the strawberry its beautiful red colour. These substances can strengthen our immune systems and have antioxidant effects.
Other local superfruits
A little later, from June onwards, other red superfruits will begin to ripen: currants, raspberries and blackberries.
Similar to strawberries, they are impressively low in calories and high in nutrients, but the blackcurrant is the real leader in terms of vitamin C with 177 mg/100 g.
Use and storage
Strawberries do not ripen after harvesting, which is why one should look for ripe fruit when shopping. The fruits are very delicate, so they should be washed carefully and stored in the vegetable compartment of the refrigerator for a maximum of a few days. Strawberries can be kept for longer when they are boiled, frozen, dried or processed. Thanks to their light and fruity aroma, they can be used in a variety of ways e.g. to make puree, jam or as a topping on sponge cakes. When it comes to taste, the fruit combines particularly well with dairy products, e.g. as a strawberry curd cheese filling in a sponge roll.
Conclusion
Strawberries and other red fruits from the region can add flavour to any menu and bring a summery feel to the table.
Through the high levels of nutrients and low energy content, the superfruits can make a valuable contribution to your health and have an important place as part of a balanced, varied diet.
*daily vitamin C requirement: men 110 mg, women 95 mg
Do you have any other questions? Please write an e-mail to marketing@backaldrin.com.
The girls from Ernährungsliebe, Dieticians