The history of the strawberry dates back well over 2,000 years ago. In ancient Greek and Roman times the strawberry was a wild plant. The strawberry plants in cultivation today (Fragaria x ananassa) are members of the Rosaceae family, which includes other fruit species such as apples, pears, plums, apricots, cherries, peaches and various berry fruits.
Strawberries red color is due to the anthocyanins pigment pelargonidin 3-monoglucoside.
Strawberries provide vitamin C. But they are also packed with folate, potassium, antioxidants specifically, ellagic acid and anthocyanins and fiber.
Strawberry species promote heart health and lower cancer risk. They help to combat rheumatoid arthritis and memory loss.
Strawberries have long been thought to have certain medicinal properties. Since the time of ancient Rome and especially during the last 200 to 300 years, herbal medicine has attributed the wild strawberry plant with exceptional healing properties from clearing the complexion to curing cancer.
California now produces 80% or more of the US consumption of strawberries. Strawberries are the only fruit with seeds on the outside rather than insides of the fruit.
Fruit of strawberries
