What do you think of this season’s strawberries?
As you know, the markets have gone red with strawberries (and rhubarb). But — I keep hearing reports that this season’s strawberries are not great. I’ve been out-of-the-country for the last week, so I did not have my first local strawberry until today (from Klug Farms). I thought it was delicious, sweet, tart, ripe, tender. Nothing wrong there.
So what are your market reports about this year’s strawberries? If you’ve found some particularly good ones, let us know where.
4 Comments
Add a Comment
Coming from Chicago, where can we pick our own berries? Can you link to some pick-your-own farms, preferably organic? It’s a fun family activity and a great way to stock your freezer! Strawberries, raspberries, blueberries…
Thanks.
To give you a quick answer, here is a map with U-pick options in Chicagoland. http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?f=l&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&near=Joliet,+IL&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=116299772153037767646.00043acd73a42013c407a&z=8&om=1
For some reason, Thompson’s Strawberry Farm in Bristol, WI, is not on that map, although they are a well-known U-pick farm for strawberries: http://www.thompsonstrawberryfarm.com/ nor is Backwoods Berry Farm, in Hettick, IL: http://www.backwoodsberryfarm.com/
For U-pick options in West Michigan, please see this post: http://www.thelocalbeet.com/2011/06/08/beet-guide-to-eating-local-on-vacation-west-michigan-edition/
Please stay tuned to The Local Beet, as I plan to put together a U-pick post soon, which will list places in IL/IN/ SE WI and SW MI for U-pick.
Great question Wendy. I have seen the same reports as well. I’m always at a loss how to respond to these things, because, well, I’m too much of a homer right?
I’ve had plenty of local strawberries so far this year, mostly from Michigan’s Hardin’s Farm, but also from Walt Skibbe and Genesis Growers. While the very first strawberries were a bit tart still, as can be expected, I’ve found nothing wrong with this season’s berries. In fact, I find the difference between local strawberries and Driscoll, etc. strawberries so monumental, I find question pretty odd.
Whether it’s melons, berries or cherries, I’ve found local fruit to be the area where the differences in taste so abound. Of course, with fruit, the difference in price is more distinct too. Still, if you care about eating well, you want to eat the best, and with fruit, especially strawberries, local is the best.
And Mick Klug. Good strawberries from Klug too!