Strawberrys

[Melman Giraffe]

Over the past few weeks i've been sampling Strawberrys from various supermarkets and I have to say they are tastless. Unfortunatly my crop isn't ready yet.

Why do they taste so bad from the supermarket? Is it because they are trying to grow them to quickly?

[AndyAudi]

"Ava" is the variety that's best in supermarkets

The market was flooded with Elsanta which was preferred for it's shelf life & appearance by the supermarkets. UK Fruit & veg, unlike continental equivalents is bought and sold on looks rather than taste by the majority.

"Ava" is the a very good compromise which only came about relatively recently (Tesco Finest etc). Good flavour & a distinct lack of a hard husk in the middle (a pet hate of mine)

Edited by AndyAudi on Thursday 4th June 15:57

[pugwash4x4]

tesco finest strawberries when in season are truly truly superb- as good as you are going to get.

normal ones are shockingly bad i'll agree

[ali_kat]

Waitrose British Strawberries

[Pferdestarke]

They are so expensive in the supermarkets. I'm going to pick my own as soon as they become ready.

[Mobile Chicane]

Thing is, every time I think "Ooh that one looks almost ready, I'll pick it tomorrow", slugs / birds always get in there before me.

[SPR2]

Elsanta are a lovely flavour, I am getting them localy though not from a supermarket

[shirt]

tesco organic are pretty good.

i am strange when it comes to soft fruit, i don't trust them and will spend ages selecting the 'right' punnet. picking my own is easier [mum's homegrown last year were superb] but even then i have to inspect each fruit.

[sherman]

Scottish strawberrys form fife area are starting to be sold and are

[otolith]

We had a sparse few from the greenhouse this evening. The outdoor glut is still green, as are the raspberries and blackcurrants - should have loads of soft fruit this year.

[Mexico.]

sherman said:

Scottish strawberrys form fife area are starting to be sold and are

Aye best ones to get are Scottish

[V8mate]

I was in France a couple of years ago in strawberry season. Even in the local market, traders sold three or four different varieties of strawberry, by name, and they all knocked the UK ones for six.

I think they have changed in the UK, as the French ones I tried reminded me of how strawberries tasted over here when I was a kid.

Andy Audi is right about Elsanta, they are super-robust plants which crop heavily with large fruits, but the flavour is minimal.

[Neil_H]

I'm a big strawberry eater and I find British strawberries are the best, foreign ones tend nt to be juicy and have a harder texture.

We've had them from Waitrose, M&S and Tesco recently and they've all been good, but I only ever get British.

[Scottish Exile]

I was living in Warsaw last year. Used to buy a 1Kg bag from street traders for 5Zl (86 pence). Best I've ever had.

Also, and I kid you not, put fresh ground black pepper on them when you serve them. Truly delicious !

[shirt]

will try the pepper. i've been eating them drizzled with balsamic vinegar [4 leaves] instead of cream. its the future, i've tasted it!

[Jesus TF Christ]

Mexico. said:

sherman said:

Scottish strawberrys form fife area are starting to be sold and are

Aye best ones to get are Scottish

Best I've ever had were bought from the side of the road in Scotland.
They were massive and delicious.

[calibrax]

If you get them from the supermarket, give them a few days before eating as they aren't usually fully ripe when you buy them. Also, remember to only eat them at room temperature for best flavour.

[erolb]

Scottish Exile said:

I was living in Warsaw last year. Used to buy a 1Kg bag from street traders for 5Zl (86 pence). Best I've ever had.

Also, and I kid you not, put fresh ground black pepper on them when you serve them. Truly delicious !

Agreed - Really emphasis the flavour.

[shakotan]

Fresh strawberries, pureed with a little balsamic, and a little chilli oil, drizzled over grilled tiger prawns...