Strawberries are a fruit native to North America and have a prominent place in North American indigenous cuisine. They can be cooked, they can be added to savory dishes, they can be made into desserts, and they can make for a delightful and healthy snack all by themselves, too. In soup, they can bring that refreshing tart note to summer chilled soups, and in lunch salads that perfect sweet pop of freshness that ties the whole bite together.

The Flavor Profile Of The Strawberry

Strawberries can vary in flavor quite a bit. The size of the strawberry, the climate its growing in, and the color all impact how the fruit is going to taste. Ideally, strawberries are sweet with a bit of a tart note and they have a firm and juicy texture in the mouth.

Smaller strawberries tend to be sweeter than larger strawberries, as larger strawberries tend to have more water content to dilute the sweet taste. You’ll also want to look for a nice deep red strawberry, as this indicates it’s ripe and ready for picking.

Strawberries that are grown in particularly hot conditions or particularly cool areas can have a slightly bitter flavor, as the berries aren’t able to produce quite as much sugar during their growth process without the right conditions. The berries are still edible and tasty to many, but they may taste a little bit different compared to those grown in mild or temperate climates.

Are Strawberries Good For You?

There’s plenty to love about strawberries aside from their delicious versatile flavor. Some of the health benefits of strawberries include:

  • They can provide an immunity boost with plenty of Vitamin C. ½ cup of strawberries contains 51.5mg of Vitamin C.
  • The antioxidants in strawberries may help to protect the eyes from cataracts due to exposure to the sun’s UV rays.
  • The ellagic acid and flavonoids in strawberries can help to benefit heart health and lower cholesterol.
  • Strawberries are a tasty way to boost fiber intake and help aid in healthy digestion. The fruit contains about 2 grams of fiber per ½ cup serving.
  • Strawberries are rich in the B Vitamin folate, a crucial nutrient for pregnant women in the early stages of pregnancy. Each ½ cup serving of strawberries contains about 21mg of folate.

Adding a handful of strawberries to your salad or enjoying SoLé Soups Summer Chilled SoupS with strawberries is an easy way to bring these benefits into your healthy lunch!