STRAWBERRY EQUIVALENTS

1 quart (1L) weighs 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 pounds. Yield: 4-5 servings. 1-1/2 quarts are needed for one nine-inch pie.

1 cup (250 ml) sliced fresh berries= 10 oz package of frozen berries.

STRAWBERRY FUN FACTS:

    Strawberries are the only fruit with seeds on the outside!

    Eight medium sized strawberries have more Vitamin C than an orange.

    The strawberry is a member of the rose family.

    "Strawberry" is the second most popular natural flavor.  It is second only to "chocolate".

PICKING TIPS

Best Time: Pick early in the morning when berries are still cool and the sun hasn't had time to soften them,                                              or early evening when the sun is setting. 

How to Pick: Look under the leaves for berries. Use both hands--one hand to hold the branch, the other to pick the berries.                Pick all fully ripe berries with no green or white tips.  Handle the berries gently.  Keep the stems and hulls on fruit.                               Don't pile the berries too high or bottom berries will be crushed..

BERRY CARE AND HANDLING

Protect the berries from the sun and heat.

Remove from container and sort, removing any overripe or moldy berries.

Refrigerate (32° - 40°F) berries in loosely covered containers.  

Don't wash the berries until they are ready to be used.

Strawberries generally keep for 2 or 3 days.

STRAWBERRY RECIPES -    Click here to see some fantastic berry recipes.

FREEZING BERRIES

Freezing is recommended for long-term storage.  All berries can be prepared with or without sugar or syrup; be whole, chopped, sliced, mashed or pureed. For freezing they should be packed in an airtight container, leaving 1-inch of head space. 

Without sugar: Frozen berries should be used within 3 months.

With sugar: Berries can be safely frozen for up to one year.  The flavor, appearance, quality and nutritional value are enhanced when sugar or other sweeteners is added.

Labeling:  Always label container with exact contents, date, and amount of sugar or other sweetener added.  Always work with small amounts of fruit and freeze immediately in coldest part of freezer.

NUTRITIONAL VALUE OF BERRIES (1/2 cup serving)

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