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A summertime favourite: strawberries
The strawberry season has started and it promises to be a rich but above all tasty harvest. It must be said: these red fruits are indispensable in the pastry world. Thanks to advanced cultivation techniques, they are therefore available almost all year round. Nevertheless, we are always looking forward to the first full soil harvest. All in all, they are fuller, more complex in taste and juicier. They therefore deserve a bit of background information ... And an appropriate creation.
How to choose strawberries?
High-quality fresh strawberries make your cakes even tastier. But how do you choose this red fruit well between the oversupply? You will find the best strawberries on the market after a few days of beautiful summer weather that alternates with cool nights. After rainy weather, you notice a clear reduction in taste and they also won't last as long. For a good end result, it is of course best to choose fresh strawberries. So do not buy soft, dull or moldy strawberries, but only shiny red, cool and dry fruits with a fresh green stem. Because these fruits are quite firm, they also stay in shape beautifully when cut in half. Moreover, fragrance says more than just what the strawberry looks like, so go for it and give them a whiff!
How to preserve strawberries?
With few other fruits, how they are stored is as important as with strawberries. With the crown, they last up to three days in the refrigerator. Kept out of the refrigerator, they only last one day. Closed, air-permeable packaging is the best choice. This protects the fruit better against dehydration and therefore also against the loss of vitamins. Do you want to start processing the strawberries? Then wash them before removing the stems. This prevents the fruits from absorbing too much water. And do not wash them under running water, as this will only bruise the strawberries.
In theory, freezing is also possible. The best way is to freeze them "separately". So let them freeze side by side. Afterwards they can be put together in a closed bag or container. At -18 °C they last for eight to twelve months. It is important to remember that thawed fruit softens. Great for example in a coulis or in mousses, but not as an eye-catcher on a cake.
Healthy berries
Strawberries are very healthy. They are full of fiber and contain vitamin C and folate (vitamin B11), among others. They also contains natural sugars, so less added sugar can be used.
Click here for the recipe of 'Prima Fresa' and get inspired by this special fruit.
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