Strawberry is a genus of plants in the rosaceae family and the common name of the fruits of the species in this genus. There are more than 20 named strawberry species in the world; There are also various hybrids and cultivars. The world’s most commercially grown strawberries are the cultivars of the Fragaria × ananassa hybrid called garden strawberry. It is very popular for its aroma, red color, juicy texture and sweetness. As it is consumed fresh, it is also loved as jam, juice, pie, ice cream, milkshake and chocolate. It is widely used in cosmetics and hygiene products.
It is known that the first garden strawberry was grown in the city of France in the late 18th century. Strawberry fruit was used for medicinal purposes in ancient Roman times. The French began to pick strawberries from the forest in their gardens in the 14th century. It is possible to find strawberry fruit in Italian, Flemish and German art and British miniatures. Throughout history, the strawberry plant has been widely used to treat depressive illnesses.
Strawberries differ in size, color, flavor and shape, as well as in terms of fertility, season of ripening, responsibility for disease and plant formation. A strawberry contains about 200 seeds on the outer membrane. There are two models for growing strawberries: annual plasticism or perennial matted rows or mounds system. Greenhouses produce a small amount of strawberries in the off season.
Strawberries are usually grouped according to their flowering habits. Traditionally, it is distinguished as “June” strawberries, which bear fruit in early summer, and “continuous” strawberries, which often carry several fruit crops throughout the season. Research published in 2001 showed that strawberries actually occur in three basic flowering habits: short-day, long-day, and day-neutral. During one season, a plant can produce 50 to 60 times, that is, every three days. Strawberries may also be propagated by seed, though this is primarily a hobby activity, and is not widely practiced commercially.
Strawberry can be grown up to -10 C. In colder regions, plants should be protected from frost by covering them with materials such as straw and dry leaves. The most suitable soil for strawberry growing; strains are sandy loam and light soils. Lime-rich soils are not suitable for strawberries. It does not cause any major problems in soils with a soil pH of 7.0 – 7.5.
Since strawberry is susceptible to fungal diseases of soil origin, the soil on which it will be planted should be clean from these diseases and in terms of nematodes. For this, in the previous season, wheat and barley-planted lands should be preferred. If such soils are not available, the soil should be fumigated with drugs such as methylbromite, vapam, chloropicrin. After the soil is deeply cultivated, 3-4 tons of farm manure should be discarded per decare. In addition, 30-35 kg of compound fertilizer should be given per decare. In large fields, furrows with furrow plow, in small areas, 60-70 cm wide, 20-30 cm high rollers are opened and the soil is made ready for planting. There are 4 planting times in strawberry growing, namely spring planting, winter planting, summer planting, and autumn planting.
Strawberries can also be grown indoors in strawberry pots. If you choose a flat pot, you can plant more strawberry seedlings. The pot is not necessarily deep, but the drain hole must be opened. Since all kinds of strawberries cannot be grown in narrow areas such as flower pots, it will be more efficient to choose strawberry seedlings, especially the type of fruit. Planting strawberry seedlings in pots is a very simple process. After filling the pot with soil, gaps are opened as much as strawberry seedlings to enter and seedlings are placed.
The soil of the strawberry should always be kept moist and it should definitely take the sun. Strawberries that do not have this medium will be sour and tasteless. Growing strawberries can rot on contact with soil. Therefore, seedlings should be planted to the edges of the pot as much as possible. Thus, growing strawberries hang down from the edge of the pot and do not touch the soil. The rotting of strawberries can be prevented by laying additions such as straw and pebbles under the strawberry seedlings. You can try your luck every season to grow strawberries, but if you plant in March and September, it will grow easier and quicker.
Strawberry is a nutritious and useful fruit as well as delicious. Strawberries are a good source of antioxidants due to the vitamins A and C and flavonoids they contain. The antioxidant effect is mainly due to the component called anthocyanin and quercetin pigment, which gives the fruit its bright red color. With this antioxidant effect, it prevents the increase of free radicals, that is, oxidative stress, which leads to various types of cancer.
This fruit also contains abundant calcium, iron, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, sodium, manganese, magnesium and many other valuable nutrients. It is a good source of folic acid and manganese. The fiber it contains in high proportion is also among the benefits of strawberry. By removing dead skin on your skin, it provides a shiny soft effect.
It affects the heart health positively. It is found in the research results that women who consume 3 meals of strawberries per week reduce the risk of heart attack by up to 32%.
Especially those who have exhausted their liver by drinking excessive alcohol are recommended to rest their livers by curing strawberries for 3 days.
One cup of strawberries contains 113% of the daily vitamin C requirement. This shows that the oranges of the winter months are replaced by strawberries in the summer. Also;
It fights against the negative effects of the sun.
It also helps strengthen our immune system.
It is good for cholesterol.
It is very useful for bones.
It has an antioxidant effect against diseases.
Acne has a curative effect.
It removes swelling under custody.
It prevents hair loss.
Makes your feet softer.
It is good for constipation.
Strawberry can be consumed as a sweet ice cream or snack. “Strawberry and cream” in the UK is a popular dessert consumed in the Wimbledon tennis tournament. Strawberry and cream is also a basic snack in Mexico. In Sweden, it is customary to serve strawberries for dessert on St John’s Day. Depending on the region, strawberry pie, strawberry rhubarb pie or strawberry shortcake are also common. In Greece, strawberries are sprinkled with sugar, immersed in Metaxa, a brandy, and served as a delicious dessert. In addition, strawberries are frequently preferred and loved in cakes, waffles, beverages and yogurt.
We think there is no problem for us to share the recipe of strawberry magnolia, a light dessert. Transfer 5 cups of milk, 1 cup of granulated sugar, 2 tablespoons of starch, 2 tablespoons of flour and 1 egg yolk into a saucepan. Mix well. Cook on medium heat, stirring until stiff. When you get a consistency, take it out of the stove and mix it a little warm. When it is warm, add 1.5 tea glasses of cream and 1 package of vanilla, whisk it with a mixer and let it cool. Pass 1 packet of baby biscuits through the rondo. Cut the stems of 15-20 strawberries into sizes you want. Take a few spoons from your cooled pudding. Spread on the base of a cup. Add the biscuits and strawberries on it and make layers. Divide this into cups until all the biscuits, puddings and strawberries are finished. Do not put strawberries on top. Then let it cool for 3-4 hours in the refrigerator. During the service phase, decorate with different ingredients such as biscuits, strawberries or bananas, chocolate sauce and serve.
Bon Appetit!
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