Summer Fruit

You will be happy to read, the answer is yes. But like everything, if consumed in moderation.  Strawberries are rich in vitamin C, manganese, folate, fibre and other beneficial antioxidants.  There are hundreds of varieties of strawberries but there are three main categories... June-Bearing; Ever-Bearing & Day-Neutral. The June-Bearing variety speaks for itself producing fruit for the month of June and sometimes longer. The Ever-bearing variety produces two harvests in Spring and late Summer and the Day-Neutral variety has a smaller fruit that can grow up to October, weather permitting.

In Ireland, the June-Bearing Malling Centenary variety is the most widely grown by commercial growers because of its high quality and greater productivity.

I have a memory of picking strawberries in a local field when I was younger and paying by weight for my bowlful with bright red corners around my mouth.

Nowadays, supermarkets and food delis sell ripe strawberries throughout the Summer months. And when driving around, it’s definitely worth pulling up to one of the roadside stalls that sell farm fresh strawberries, as well as new season potatoes.

Wexford is one of the biggest producers of strawberries including Wheelocks Fruit Farm, Greenhill Fruit Farm, Kearns Fruit Farm and Green's Berry Farm. Why Wexford? Apparently due to its ‘Sunny South-East’ location, milder temperatures and unique shale soils, it is easier for growers to cultivate crops. And along with advanced farming techniques, the strawberry season now extends from May to September.

Summer Tiramisu recipe (Kevin Dundon)