Strawberries Key Terms

Enjoy getting to know strawberries key terms

By Heidi Crossman

The strawberry itself is a highly perishable delight, but the essence it leaves is as enduring as the terms that encompass its identity. From the parts of a strawberry to varieties, handling and uses, your knowledge of the berry will result in appealing and mouth watering dishes. Since strawberry varieties vary in color, flavor, season, shape and size, there are many instances where knowing strawberry key terms is beneficial.

Calyx, hull

The calyx along with the stem make up the hull of a strawberry. The calyx is the leafy part that cups the top of the berry. To keep the berries fresh longer, the calyx should stay attached to the fruit until it is prepared to be eaten.
Try: Good Food's information page on the strawberry talks about the calyx and how it should be considered in finding and keeping the freshest fruit. See a diagram of strawberry parts at The Free Dictionary.

Phytonutrient, phenol

Phytonutrients are disease-preventing compounds found in plants. Recent thought is that eating foods rich in phytonutrients has benefits of maintaining health by preventing and fighting disease. Strawberries are loaded with the phytonutrient phenol. Phenol is known to work against inflamation.
Try: The George Mateljan Foundation explores in detail the phytonutrients of strawberries. Visit Hungry Zone for information on how these phenols benefit our health.

Pips, achenes

Pips, formally known as achenes, are the dots on the outside of the berry. Most people think these are seeds, but they are really fruits themselves, each having its own seed. The achenes can add a grainy texture to dishes that call for strawberries; however, since they contain large amounts of phenols, so removing them detracts from the fruit's nutrients.
Try: Learn more about achenes from the Illinois Natural History Survey. EDinformatics goes into more detail on pips and its significance with the strawberry.

Double-cropping strawberry, everbearing strawberry

One of the two types of everbearing strawberry plants, double-cropping plants yield biannually. These strawberries are harvested in the spring and in the fall. The cool evenings trigger the plants to produce fruit.
Try: The Garden Helper gives information on these everbearing strawberries including recommendations of different varieties. For first hand information from experienced gardeners, check out You Grow Girl.

Day-neutral strawberry

Day-neutral varieties of strawberries produce a crop steadily through the growing season. Neither day length nor night temperature is a determining factor in promoting growth in this kind. Day-neutral varieties make it possible for consumers to have fresh berries throughout the year.
Try: The Virginia Cooperative Extension offers extensive information on the day-neutral kind of everbearing strawberry. Plant Land goes into great detail on this and other types of strawberries.

June bearing strawberries

June bearing strawberries have a short harvesting season of about three months. During this time, more berries are harvested than any other time throughout the year. June bearing varieties tend to yield bigger and more flavorful berries than other varieties.
Try: The How To Garden Guide explores deeper into June bearing strawberries. Iowa State University will help you learn about and grow June bearing berries.