Facts about Strawberries
Strawberries are a member of the rose family. On average, there are 200 seeds in a strawberry. The strawberry is the only fruit with the seeds on the outside of the fruit. Strawberries are the first fruit to ripen in the spring. One cup of strawberries is only 55 calories. Ninety-four per cent of United States households consume strawberries. The strawberry you eat is not really a fruit or a berry but is the enlarged receptacle of the flower. The ancient Romans believed that strawberries alleviated symptoms of melancholy, fainting, all inflammations, fevers, throat infections, kidney stones, bad breath, attacks of gout, and diseases of the blood, liver and spleen. To symbolize perfection and righteousness, medieval stone masons carved strawberry designs on altars and around the tops of pillars in churches and cathedrals. In parts of Bavaria, country folk still practice the annual rite each spring of tying small baskets of wild strawberries to the horns of their cattle as an offering to elves. They believe that the elves, are passionately fond of strawberries, will help to produce healthy calves and an abundance of milk in return. Madame Tallien, a prominent figure at the court of the Emperor Napoleon, was famous for bathing in the juice of fresh strawberries. She used 22 pounds per basin. Needless to say, she did not bathe daily. There is a museum in Belgium just for strawberries. In medieval times, strawberries were served at important functions to bring peace & prosperity. In France, Strawberries were thought to be an aphrodisiac. A soup made of strawberries, thinned sour cream, borage, & powered sugar was served to newlyweds. |
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