Strawberry History

Where did Strawberries get their name?

Though there is no definative answer to the age old question of where strawberries got their names, there are several theories that have been handed down through time.

Many people believe the myth that the luscious red berries were originally named in the nineteenth centurey by English children.  The children would pick the berries and string them on grass straws and sell them.

Another theory is the name was derived from the nineteenth century practice of placing staw around the growing berry plants to protect the ripening fruit.

Interestingly, botanists do not consider the strawberry to be a 'true' berry.  True berries, such as blue berris nd cranberries have seeds inside.  The strawberry boldly displays an average of 200 seeds on the outside and is a member of the Rose family (genus Fragraria), along with apples and plums.

Strawberry History:

Strawberries can be traced back to the Romans and the Greeks.  Medieval stonemasons carved strawberry designs on altars and around the tops of pillars in churches and cathedrals, symbolizing perfection and righteousness. During the same time period, strawberries were served at important state occasions and festivals to ensure peace and prosperity.

The second wife of Henry VIII, Queen Anne Boleyn (1507-36), had a strawberry-shaped birthmark on her neck. Unfortunately, some claimed this fact proved she was a witch.

The strawberry is recognized as representing absolute perfection in the Victorian language of flowers.

Native Americans called the fragrant fruit 'Heart Seed Berries' and pounded them into their traditional corn meal.  Discovering the great taste of the Native American bread, colonists decided to create their own version.  Can you guess what this tasty treat is known as today?  Yep.. you've got it... Strawberry Shortcake!

Generations of lovers have recognized the heart shaped berry as a symbol of love.  In art and literature the innocent strawberry has been construed as a symbol of sensuality and earthly desire - an aphrodisiac of the highest quality.  In provincial France, strawberries were regarded as an aphrodisiac of the highest quality. Newlyweds traditionally were served a soup of thinned sour cream, strawberries, borage (a European herb whose flavor is reminiscent of cucumber) and powdered sugar.

	Did You Know... Many places in the world have been named for the strawberry. Here are a few you may have visited: Strawberry, Arizona Strawberry, California Strawberry Crater Wilderness in the Cocinino National Forest in Arizona The Virtual Strawberry Beds west of Dublin, Ireland, a beautiful area unaffected by urban development Strawberry Mountain in Malheur National Forest, Oregon Mansikkala, Finland translated as The Place of the Strawberry. Farms there grow strawberries that ripen 24 hours a day during the time of the midnight sun

Strawberry Medicine:

Medicinally both the wild and cultivated berries are used but the wild are preferred. For medicine the leaves, flowers and roots are used. The Wild Strawberry has no poisonous look a like. The related Wood Strawberry (Fraganaia vesca; fraganaia means ‘look a like’) looks similar and is edible but has no flavour, so it is used as a filler. 

When eaten in large quantities, the strawberry's are known to act as a mild laxative - they cleanse the blood and also help with cleansing the liver and spleen in much the same way.

Equal portions of Strawberry Leaves, Parsley, and Blueberry Leaves mixed together and drank as an infusion will help the Kidneys and is good for those with Diabetes. Drink Four Cups a day. Pour boiled water over the leaves and let steep for 12 minutes. One Teaspoon of Dried Leaves to one cup of water. The leaves of the strawberry must be dried prior to use however as fresh leaves are toxic.

During the 13th century the French cultivated strawberries to use as a medicinal herb for numerous digestive discomforts.

Both the juice of the Strawberry and the Dried Roots can be used to clean the teeth. When using the Berry, rub on teeth and leave on as long as possible(10 min.) in order to remove tartar. Then rince your mouth with water. Rinse the mouth with strawberry juice to strengthen and heal the gums too. Use the Dried Root Powder in the same way as you would any toothpaste.

Crushed Strawberries have long been used for every type of skin problem. The crushed Berries can be used as a poultice to rid one of Ringworm, Scabies, and has been helpful for treating Skin Cancers. They will relieve the sting of Sunburn and cleans or whitens the skin. They have helped others with acne and eczema. The juice is good for oil skin as it cleans the pours and tones the skin. Also applied for relief of sore eyes and when the leaves are used they can be used to clear the eyes.

The first important American variety, the Hoveg, was grown in 1834, in Massachusetts. The hybrid variety was developed in France.

The strawberry is considered one of the most important small fruits grown in the Western Hemisphere. Today every state in the United States and every province in Canada grows the strawberry plant.

Strawberry Moon

Full Strawberry Moon - June This name was universal to every Algonquin tribe. However, in Europe they called it the Rose Moon. Also because the relatively short season for harvesting strawberries comes each year during the month of June . . . so the full Moon that occurs during that month was christened for the strawberry!