Everything you need to know about the perfect summer strawberry: how to buy, hull, store, and eat strawberries!
Native Americans introduced Europeans to strawberries way back when, but they were pretty small. It wasn’t until a French spy brought a different breed of strawberry home from Chile that things really got tasty. By combining the South American strawberry with the North American, the French bred the big, juicy strawberries we know and love today!
How to pick the perfect strawberries
How to tell if strawberries are ripe?
Strawberries get darker after picking them, but not sweeter. Rather than depending on color, smell the berries! If they smell strong and sweet, they’re ripe.
Try to get your pint of strawberries at your local farmer’s market! Supermarket berries are a bit older due to shipping and tend to be less flavorful.
When are strawberries in season?
Strawberries are best when they’re locally in season, from late April to August in the Northern Hemisphere.
How to store strawberries
Prep: Be sure to remove any overripe or moldy berries, as they’ll make the whole batch go bad quicker. Only wash strawberries just before eating. Washing them too soon makes them prone to mold.
Fridge: Store berries uncovered in the refrigerator for about 3 days. Take them out of the fridge 30 minutes or so before you want to eat them. They taste sweeter when room temperature!
Freezer: Freeze your soon-to-go-bad strawberries for the winter (or for strawberry smoothies!) Slice off the top, chop em up, and lay on a parchment paper-lined sheet. Freeze until hard then transfer to a freezer safe container.
How to hull strawberries with a straw
It’s super easy to hull strawberries without a mess or any fancy gadgets. Just poke a drinking straw through the center of the bottom of the strawberry and push up!
Strawberry Flavor Combos
Aside from the tried and true sweet strawberry flavor pairings, here are a few other ingredients that go great with strawberries, for your kitchen experimentation! Be sure to check out all of our juicy strawberry recipes here.
- Basil – like in this Strawberry Basil Kombucha
- Balsamic – like in this Summer Strawberry Salad
- Tomato – hellooooo Strawberry Gazpacho
Nutrition information for strawberries
Strawberries are not only delicious but also packed with nutrition and health benefits. These vibrant red berries are a rich source of vitamin C, which boosts the immune system and promotes healthy skin. They are also high in fiber, aiding in digestion and promoting a feeling of fullness. Strawberries are low in calories and fat, making them a great addition to a balanced diet. The following nutrition information is per 1 cup fresh halved strawberries (152 grams).
Calories in Strawberries: 49
Strawberries are a low calorie fruit, making them a great choice for weight loss.
Carbohydrates: 12 g
Strawberries are also low in carbs, as far as fruits go! They’re a good choice for keto and low carb diets.
Fiber: 3 g
Strawberries are a good source of fiber, and have 12% of your Daily Value (DV). This means that strawberries can can make you to feel full, helping you to eat less and lose weight.
Protein: 1 g
As with most fruits, strawberries are not particularly high in protein.
Fat: 0 g
As with most fruits, strawberries are naturally fat-free.
149% Daily Value of Vitamin C
1 cup of strawberries contains almost all of the vitamin C that you need in a day! This antioxidant helps maintain your immune system as well as helps to create collagen.
Are Strawberries Keto Friendly?
Strawberries are suitable for ketogenic diets. According to the USDA, a ½ cup serving of sliced strawberries contains 5.5 grams of carbs (3.5g net carbs once fiber is factored out). ½ cup is not a lot of strawberries, but with moderation strawberries can easily fit into a keto diet.
Strawberry Measurements
Recipes can call for ounces, cups, or even pints of strawberries, and you can buy them by the ounce, pound, pint, or quart. So, It is helpful to know some standard strawberry measurements!
How much does 1 strawberry weigh? The USDA states that the average extra-large strawberry weighs 27 grams, or about 1 ounce. A large strawberry is 18 grams, or ⅔ ounce. A medium strawberry is 12 grams, or just under ½ an ounce.
How many strawberries in a cup? 1 cup is 12 whole strawberries or 14 sliced strawberries, per the USDA.
How many strawberries in a pint? 1 pint is 30 whole strawberries or about 12 ½ ounces, by the USDA standard.
How many strawberries in a pound? 1 pound is 38 medium or 20 large strawberries, per USDA data.
How many cups in a pint of strawberries? 2 ½
How many cups in a quart of strawberries? 5
How many cups in a pound of strawberries? 3 cups whole or 2 ¾ cups sliced
What About Our Other Furry Friends?
Most pets can eat strawberries! We are asked about a few specifically fairly often.
Can Hamsters Eat Strawberries? Yes. According to the American Society For the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), strawberries are safe for hamsters. Be careful to not overfeed these small animals strawberries, or really most fruits. The high sugar content in fruits could lead to weight gain. The ASPCA recommends that the majority of a pet’s diet should come from pet foods designed for their needs.
Can Guinea Pigs Eat Strawberries? The ASPCA gives the green light for guinea pigs to eat strawberries. You may want to cut up larger berries into easily eaten pieces for your little friend.
Can Rabbits Eat Strawberries? Yes, the ASPCA states that strawberries are safe to feed to rabbits.
Can Cats Eat Strawberries? Yes, according to the Ralston Purina Co and ASPCA cats can eat strawberries. The thing is cats are carnivores, so you will probably get a chilled response. The Purina Company states that “If your cat is curious about strawberries, go ahead and cut them a small piece. Keep portions small and always remove the stem and leaves.” Our take is that all cats are curious, but probably not about strawberries. Give it a try.
Can Goats Eat Strawberries? Yes. We checked this one with the ASPCA and they give strawberries two thumbs up. If you have your own strawberry patch, this could be a good supplement to your goat’s diet. Just consider that calories in strawberries are about 82% from sugar, so don’t make strawberries your goat’s dietary staple.
Can Horses Eat Strawberries? Definitely. According to the Kentucky Equine Research Organization, strawberries are safe for horses to enjoy.
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