Outline of strawberries facts for kids
Strawberries are popular fruits grown all over the world. They are known for their bright red color, juicy texture, sweet taste, and wonderful smell. Even though we call them "berries," they are actually a special type of fruit called an "aggregate accessory fruit." This means the juicy part we eat comes from more than just the plant's ovary.
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Different Kinds of Strawberries
Strawberry Varieties (Cultivars)
Strawberry plants have many different types, called "cultivars." These are varieties that people have grown on purpose to have certain features, like a special taste or color.
- Little Scarlet – This strawberry comes from America but is mostly grown in Britain. It's a specific type of Fragaria virginiana.
- Marshall Strawberry – This is a cultivated type of Fragaria ananassa. It's famous for its amazing taste and firm texture. Some people even called it "the finest eating strawberry" in America!
- Pineberry – Imagine a strawberry that tastes like a pineapple! Pineberries are white with red seeds and have a unique pineapple flavor.
- Strasberry – Also known as Fragaria × ananassa 'Mieze Schindler', this strawberry looks a bit like a raspberry. It was first created in Germany in 1925.
Wild Strawberry Species
Besides the ones we grow in gardens, there are many wild types of strawberries, called "species." These are natural kinds of strawberries found in different parts of the world. Here are some of them:
- Fragaria (This is the main group all strawberries belong to)
- Fragaria × ananassa (This is the common garden strawberry)
- Fragaria chiloensis (A wild strawberry from the Americas)
- Fragaria daltoniana (Found in the Himalayas, but its fruit isn't very tasty)
- Fragaria moschata (Also known as the Musk strawberry)
- Fragaria vesca (The wild strawberry, often found in forests)
- Fragaria virginiana (Another wild strawberry from North America)
- Fragaria viridis (A green strawberry species)
How Strawberries Grow
Strawberries can be grown in many ways. Farmers and gardeners often choose specific types of strawberries to grow based on their taste, how well they grow, or how strong they are against diseases.
Companies That Grow Strawberries
Many companies specialize in growing and selling strawberries.
- Driscoll's – This is a well-known company that sells fresh strawberries and other berries.
- Wish Farms – This company is one of the biggest growers and sellers of strawberries in Florida, USA.
Strawberry Dishes and Drinks
Strawberries are used in so many yummy foods and drinks!
- Strawberry Cake – A delicious cake flavored with strawberries.
- Strawberry Ice Cream – A classic frozen treat.
- Strawberry Jam – A sweet spread made from cooked strawberries.
- Strawberry Pie – A tasty pie with a strawberry filling.
- Strawberry Shortcake – A popular dessert with biscuits, whipped cream, and fresh strawberries.
Strawberry Drinks
- Fruli – A special strawberry-flavored beer from Belgium.
- XUXU – A German liqueur that gets its flavor from strawberries, with a little bit of lime juice added.
Strawberry Festivals and Events
People love strawberries so much that they have festivals to celebrate them!
- Florida Strawberry Festival – An annual event held in Plant City, Florida, where people celebrate strawberries with food, music, and fun.
- National Strawberry Festival – This festival takes place over three days in Belleville, Michigan.
- Strawberry Fair – A festival in Cambridge, England, that has been held since 1974. It features music, entertainment, arts, and crafts.
Strawberry Flavor Science
Scientists can even create artificial strawberry flavors using special compounds.
- Ethyl methylphenylglycidate – This is an organic compound that scientists use to create artificial fruit flavors, especially strawberry flavor, for things like candies or drinks.
Organizations for Strawberries
- California Strawberry Commission – This is an agency in California that helps support strawberry growers and promotes strawberries.
