The first strawberries are ripe!

The “Queen of Berries” is in season again, shelves and market stalls are well stocked and the strawberry countries are opening their doors. At the “Hoffelner” in Kremsmünster the time has come next weekend, as boss Andreas Hoffelner tells us. “The season started very early this year and we can’t complain so far,” says the strawberry farmers’ chairman of the Chamber of Commerce. “In Upper Austria we were fortunately largely spared from the late frosts.” Even now the weather is perfect for a good harvest. “There will be a bit of rain in the next few days and it will be very good for the fruit.” After all, they consist mostly of water and are therefore very low in calories.

Andreas Hoffelner prefers to eat the fruit – early in the morning in muesli and of course also for dessert. “I’m a sweet person, pancakes with strawberries and whipped cream are among my absolute favorite foods.”

There is no doubt that strawberries taste delicious, and the red fruits are also healthy. They are full of vitamins and minerals such as potassium, calcium, magnesium and iron. Among other things, they support the intestines, strengthen the immune system and boost metabolism.

• Pick and store correctly: Always pick strawberries from the field using the sepal, otherwise the juice will run out. Always store in flat containers, lying down and in a cool place, so the fruits remain undamaged, says Andreas Hoffelner.
• Processing tips: Always wash the fruit with the stalks on, drain well and then remove the sepals. The strawberries can be stored in the refrigerator for one to two days. In order for them to taste good, they need to return to room temperature – so take them out of the fridge in good time.
• Proper freezing: Place whole fruits individually on a tray and only fill them into bags when frozen. Strawberry puree is also perfect for storage. “To do this, puree the fruit, add sugar to taste, pour it into cups and freeze. This means you can quickly have a wonderful fruit sauce on hand, even in winter,” says strawberry expert Andreas Hoffelner.

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