Strawberries: A Beloved Berry from Field to Table

/ Nourse Farm/

Few fruits say “summer” quite like strawberries. Sweet, juicy, and brilliantly red, strawberries are often the first berry of the season and a highlight of early summer eating. From fresh snacking to classic desserts and preserves, strawberries are as versatile as they are delicious. At Nourse Farm, pick-your-own strawberries offer the chance to enjoy this iconic fruit at peak flavor—straight from the field.

What Are Strawberries?

Strawberries are a unique fruit in the rose family (Rosaceae). Unlike most fruits, their seeds—called achenes—are on the outside of the berry rather than inside. Each strawberry typically has around 200 seeds, making it one of the few fruits with this distinctive structure.

Botanically speaking, strawberries are not true berries, but in the culinary world, they are firmly beloved as one of the most popular berries worldwide.

A Brief History of Strawberries

Wild strawberries have been enjoyed for thousands of years. Native species grew across Europe, Asia, and North America and were prized for their intense flavor, though they were much smaller than modern varieties.

The strawberries we recognize today originated in 18th-century France, when gardeners crossed a North American strawberry species with a Chilean variety. This hybridization led to larger, sweeter fruit and laid the foundation for modern strawberry cultivation. Since then, strawberries have become a global favorite and a symbol of summer harvests.

How Strawberries Grow

Strawberries are perennial plants that grow low to the ground. In spring, plants produce white flowers that are pollinated by insects. Once pollinated, the flower develops into a strawberry.

Strawberry plants also send out runners, or horizontal stems, which root and form new plants. This natural growth habit makes strawberries productive and well-suited to both farms and home gardens.

Different Varieties of Strawberries

There are several main types of strawberries, each with unique characteristics:

  • June-bearing strawberries
    Produce one large, concentrated crop in late spring to early summer. These are ideal for pick-your-own and preserving.

  • Everbearing strawberries
    Produce two to three harvests throughout the growing season.

  • Day-neutral strawberries
    Produce fruit consistently throughout the season when temperatures are moderate.

Varieties also differ in size, sweetness, firmness, and best uses—some excel fresh, while others shine in baking or jam-making.

When and How to Harvest Strawberries

When to Harvest

Strawberries are typically ready for harvest in late spring through early summer, depending on weather and variety. Berries are ripe when they are fully red, glossy, and fragrant.

How to Harvest

  • Gently grasp the berry and pinch or snip the stem just above the fruit

  • Avoid pulling directly on the berry to protect the plant

  • Pick frequently, as ripe berries do not continue to sweeten after harvest

Pick-your-own fields make harvesting fun, efficient, and family-friendly.

What Do Strawberries Taste Like?

Strawberries are known for their balanced sweetness and gentle acidity. When fully ripe, they are juicy, aromatic, and intensely flavorful—far superior to underripe berries picked too early for shipping.

Fresh-picked strawberries offer the fullest expression of this classic flavor.

Nutritional Value of Strawberries

Strawberries are as nutritious as they are delicious. One cup of fresh strawberries provides:

  • More vitamin C than an orange

  • Dietary fiber for digestive health

  • Antioxidants, including anthocyanins that give strawberries their red color

  • Naturally low calories, fat, and sodium

They support immune health, heart health, and overall wellness.

How to Eat Strawberries

Strawberries can be enjoyed in countless ways:

  • Fresh, right out of the basket

  • Sliced over yogurt, cereal, or oatmeal

  • Added to salads for a sweet contrast

  • Dipped in chocolate or paired with whipped cream

They’re equally at home in simple snacks and celebratory desserts.

Using Strawberries in Recipes

Strawberries are one of the most versatile fruits in the kitchen. Popular uses include:

  • Classic desserts: shortcake, pies, tarts, and cakes

  • Preserves: jams, freezer jams, and sauces

  • Beverages: smoothies, lemonades, syrups, and cocktails

  • Savory dishes: salsas, vinaigrettes, and grain bowls

They freeze beautifully, making it easy to enjoy summer flavor year-round.

Why Pick Your Own Strawberries?

Pick-your-own strawberries offer benefits you can’t replicate at the store:

  • Peak ripeness and flavor

  • Freshness you can see and taste

  • A fun, seasonal farm experience

  • Perfect quantities for fresh eating and preserving

At Nourse Farm, strawberry season is a celebration of early summer—inviting families and food lovers alike to start berry season in the fields.

A Timeless Favorite

Strawberries have endured for centuries because they bring together flavor, beauty, and tradition. Whether you’re picking them fresh, baking a classic dessert, or preserving the harvest, strawberries remain one of the most joyful fruits of the growing season—and one well worth savoring.