Oooooo Strawberries!

by Better Oats

Strawberry season is in full bloom (May's National Strawberry Month kicked it all off), so we wanted to provide you with a few fun facts about these seasonal super fruits.

TIPS FOR PICKING STRAWBERRIES:

~  Always call before visiting the farm to make sure strawberries are available and to see if you'll need to bring your own picking containers.

~  If you go on a weekend, leave early to make sure the field hasn't been picked clean.

~  Bring something to drink and a few snacks. And don't forget hats and sunscreen!

~  Be careful not to damage other fruits in or along the edge of the row while kneeling or walking around.

~  Pick only the berries that are fully red. Part the leaves with your hands to look for hidden berries ready for harvest.

~  Help farmers by removing damaged fruit from the plant.

~  Use forefinger & thumbnail to twist off the stem above the fruit.

~  Strawberries may be kept fresh in the refrigerator for two or three days

~  To avoid spoiling, don't wash the berries until you're ready to use them.

FUN STRAWBERRY FACTS

• No one knows the true origin of the strawberry's name, but a popular theory is that it morphed from "strewn berries."
• On average, there are 200 tiny yellow seeds on a single strawberry.
• If every strawberry grown in California this year was lined up, they would wrap around the Earth 15 times!
• Strawberries are good sources of folic acid, potassium, fiber and calcium. Strawberries are also fat-free and low in calories.
• One cup of unsweetened strawberries contains only 45-55 calories.
• Unripe strawberries will not ripen once picked.Not going to serve your strawberries right away? No problem! Strawberries will keep for months if they are frozen without air.

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