How to Choose, Eat, and Pair Strawberries for Maximum Flavor
As the weather turns cold, strawberries become a common sight in supermarkets.
But when you’re picking them up at the store, what do you look for?
We asked Mika Watabe, the representative of “MAISON DE FROUGE – The Strawberry Shop,” to share her tips on how to choose perfectly ripe strawberries and the best ways to enjoy their flavor!
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【Advised by】MAISON DE FROUGE The Strawberry Shop Mika Watabe,
Table of Contents
How to Choose Delicious Strawberries
① Aroma
The first thing to pay attention to is the “aroma.” The stronger the sweet and tangy fragrance, the riper the strawberry. If the body has a shiny red color, that’s even better. Strawberries that are unusually red but lack fragrance may have turned red due to temperature changes during transport.
② Calyx (Stem Cap)
Next, look at the calyx. When viewed from below, if the leaves are a deep green and curl downward, it’s a sign of freshness. If they appear wilted or hang upward, the strawberry may be past its prime. Keep this in mind when choosing.
How to Enjoy Strawberries
A common debate around eating strawberries is whether to start from the tip, which is said to be sweeter, or from the calyx side to save the sweetest part for last.
Surprisingly, Mr. Watabe recommends eating it in one bite!
Strawberries gradually get sweeter from the calyx to the tip. Experiencing the full range of sweetness in one bite is key to enjoying strawberries. There’s no need to separate the calyx and tip. If a single bite is difficult, try eating it sideways. This allows both ends to enter your mouth at the same time.
Strawberry Pairing Ideas
Strawberries pair well with a variety of ingredients. The well-known “strawberries × chocolate” combo is great, especially for sour strawberries, according to Mr. Watabe. However, because chocolate has a strong flavor, it can overpower the strawberry’s taste, making it less ideal if you want to enjoy the natural flavor of the fruit. So what are some pairings that highlight the strawberry’s essence?
① Dairy Products
The classic choice is dairy products like milk or yogurt. One of the best matches is “strawberries × condensed milk.” The creamy sweetness of condensed milk enhances the juiciness of the strawberries.
② Strawberry-Mayo Toast
Another surprising yet complementary flavor combination is the “strawberry-mayo toast.” Start by toasting a slice of bread.
Once toasted, spread mayonnaise over the surface.
Next, layer on sliced strawberries.
Finally, sprinkle black pepper on top…
Done! This is the “strawberry-mayo toast”! The tanginess of the mayonnaise and the aroma of the black pepper beautifully complement the sweet and tart notes of the strawberries.
Other recommendations include combining strawberries with other members of the Rosaceae family, like apples or peaches, to make fresh juice. Just by changing how you eat them, you might discover an entirely new flavor experience. Next time you eat strawberries, choose them by aroma and calyx, and try eating them in one bite!
Strawberry expert and representative of “MAISON DE FROUGE – The Strawberry Shop.” She offers sweets made with fully ripened strawberries sourced directly from farms across Japan, ensuring their freshness while conveying not only their flavor but also the passion of the farmers. She frequently appears in the media and also serves as an advisor for strawberry development at agricultural research institutions.
*The information is based on the time of reporting or creation, and may differ from the current situation.
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