Redcrest
- Late ripening - fresh season is typically June 5 - July 7
- High soluble solids and low acidity, low drip loss
- Flesh remains firm
- Large conic fruit, with ultra red internal and external color
- Highest quality fruit for processing, but can be difficult to grow
Hood
- Early ripening - fresh season is typically June 1-20
- From a cross of ORUS 2315 & Puget Beauty
- Excellent fruit quality for processing but difficult to grow
- Medium to large fruit with excellent external and internal color.
- High soluble solids and high acidity, low drip loss.
- Excellent in ice cream
Totem
- Fresh season is typically June 5-24
- Predominant cultivar of Oregon
- From a cross of Puget Beauty and Northwest
- High Soluble solids
- Excellent titratable acidity for fruity taste
- Flesh remains firm with texture in products
- Ice cream berry
- Large fruit, fully red internally and externally
Pugent Reliance
- Fresh season is typically June 3-22
- From a cross of BC 77-2-72 & WSU 1945
- High yield, large fruit
- High soluble solids and good acidity
- Ice cream berry
- Deep red internal and external color
Source: Oregon Strawberry Commission
Common California Varieties
California has several strawberry varieties in commercial production, each with its own characteristics, advantages, and harvest time. Below are the varieties most commonly grown on California 's more than 30,000 lush and fertile acres.
Albion | This new day-neutral variety has a seasonal fruit production yield similar to that of Diamante. However, Albion generally has a slightly lower spring peak and is less prone to a summer gap in production. Albion has a more consistently conical shape and similar fruit size and especially early in the season, has substantially better weather tolerance than Diamante. Its fruit color is darker, both internally and externally, and its flavor is consistently sweeter. |
Aromas | Released in 1997, this day-neutral plant produces a large, firm fruit with great flavor, a good red color, and a bright sheen. Fruit is produced slightly later than other day-neutral varieties and production continues into late fall. Aromas are currently grown on nearly 2 percent of the statewide acreage and are mainly produced in the Watsonville/Salinas district. |
Camarosa | This short-day variety produces large, bright, firm and flavorful fruit with a good sheen. Because this fruit ships and stores so well, it can be picked with full red color and still retain shelf life. Due to early production potential, Camarosa is the primary variety for southern districts, though it's also grown in the north. Released in 1993, Camarosa accounts for nearly one-third of the state's acreage. |
Camino Real | This new short-day variety was commercially planted for the first time in 2002. Early tests show it performs well in the Santa Maria district. This variety has firm, dark red fruit with a good shelf life and very good flavor. Camino Real has a relatively high resistance to common plant diseases. |
Diamante | Released to the industry in 1997, this day-neutral variety accounts for more than 23 percent of the state's acreage. A large, flavorful, firm fruit with a bright red sheen and a long shelf life, Diamante may be picked with full red color. Though grown primarily in the Watsonville, Salinas and Santa Maria districts, this fruit is now being tested by growers in other areas. |
Ventana | This new short-day variety was available for the first time in 2002, on limited acreage. Ventana produces fruit earlier in the season than Camarosa, has excellent fruit quality, and though specifically adapted to early planting in southern California, has also performed well in Santa Maria. Ventana has bright red fruit, slightly lighter in color than Camarosa, a good flavor, shape and fruit size, with similar firmness and shelf-life to the Camarosa. Ventana accounts for nearly 9 percent of the state's acreage. |
Source: California Strawberry Commission
Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC), Anthocyanin, and Ellagic Acid Values
ORAC value is 1,540 per 100 g; Anthocyanin is 450-1,000 µg/100g; Ellagic Acid is 570 µg/g
Source: Oregon Strawberry Commission
Mirco-Nutrient Chart
Substance |
Measurement
|
Amount
|
Nutraceutical Significance |
Alanine |
µg/g
|
310
|
Amino acid, component of protein |
Alpha -Linolenic-Acid |
µg/g
|
780
|
Omega 3 fatty acid found in the strawberry seeds, similar to fat in flaxseed |
Alpha-carotene |
µg/g
|
.05
|
Carotenoid, similar to beta-carotene, can be converted to vitamin A, antioxidant, anti-carcinogenic |
Alpha-tocopherol |
µg ATE/g
|
1.4
|
Vitamin E, antioxidant |
Anthocyanin |
µg/100g
|
450-1,000
|
Antioxidant, protects membranes |
Arginine |
µg/g
|
260
|
Amino acid, may affect immune function |
Ascorbic Acid |
µg/g
|
567
|
Vitamin C, antioxidant |
Aspartic Acid |
µg/g
|
1380
|
Amino acid, component of protein |
Boron |
µg/g
|
1-160
|
Possible role in maintaining strong bones, may be needed for proper membrane function |
Caffeic Acid |
µg/g
|
2
|
Phenolic acid, antioxidant activity |
Calcium |
µg/g
|
140
|
Helps build strong bones and teeth, involved in nerve transmission and muscle contraction |
Chromium |
µg/g
|
0.005-0.18
|
Works with insulin to regulate blood sugar levels |
Coumaric acid |
µg/g
|
14-27
|
Phenolic acid, antioxidant activity |
Cystine |
µg/g
|
50
|
Amino acid, component of protein |
Ellagic Acid |
µg/g
|
570
|
Anticancer activity |
Ferulic acid |
µg/g
|
2
|
Phenolic acid, antioxidant activity |
Fiber |
µg /g
|
23.000
|
Helps reduce cholesterol |
Flavonols |
µg/g
|
35-79
|
Antioxidant benefits, includes quercetin and kaempferol |
Folic acid |
µg/g
|
0.18
|
Needed for proper red blood cell formation, cell division and protein synthesis |
Gallic Acid |
µg/g
|
80-121
|
Phenolic, with antioxidant activity |
Glutamic Acid |
µg/g
|
900
|
Amino acid, component of protein |
Glycine |
µg/g
|
240
|
Amino acid, component of protein |
Histidine |
µg/g
|
120
|
Essential amino acid |
Iodine |
µg/g
|
0.157-0.23
|
Needed for proper functioning of the thyroid gland |
Iron |
µg/g
|
3.8
|
Constituent of hemoglobin, helps transport oxygen in body and prevents anemia |
Isoleucine |
µg/g
|
140
|
Essential amino acid |
Leucine |
µg/g
|
310
|
Essential amino acid |
Lutein |
µg/g
|
0.3-3
|
Carotenoid, important for vision |
Lysine |
µg/g
|
250
|
Essential amino acid |
Magnesium |
µg/g
|
100
|
Needed in enzyme systems involved in energy production |
Manganese |
µg/g
|
2.9
|
Co-factor in enzyme systems, involved in bone formation, energy production and protein metabolism |
Methionine |
µg/g
|
10
|
Essential amino acid |
Pantothenic Acid |
µg/g
|
3.4
|
Important in nerve and brain metabolism |
Phosphorus |
µg/g
|
190
|
Maintains strong bones and teeth |
Proline |
µg/g
|
190
|
Amino acid, component of protein |
Riboflavin |
µg/g
|
0.7
|
Releases energy from food, necessary for healthy skin and eyes |
Salicylic Acid |
µg/g
|
13.6
|
May help decrease clotting risk factor for cardiovascular disease |
Selenium |
µg/g
|
.007
|
Antioxidant, protects vitamin E |
Serine |
µg/g
|
230
|
Amino acid, component of protein |
Silicon |
µg/g
|
10-270
|
May be important for proper bone structure and growth |
Thiamin |
µg/g
|
0.2
|
Needed for releasing energy from food and normal nervous system |
Threonine |
µg/g
|
190
|
Essential amino acid |
Tryptophan |
µg/g
|
70
|
Essential amino acid |
Valine |
µg/g
|
180
|
Essential amino acid |
Vitamin B-6 |
µg/g
|
0.6
|
Important for protein and fat metabolism |
Zinc |
µg/g
|
0.33
|
Important in protein synthesis, wound healing and growth |
Source: Oregon Strawberry Commission
Health Benefits
Strawberries contain a broad range of beneficial nutrients, including vitamin C, folate and fiber. Researchers around the world are also recognizing that the phytonutrients in strawberries - including ellagitannins and quercetin - may have considerable preventative effects on cardiovascular disease, cancer and cognitive decline.
Science tells us that antioxidants are key to warding off chronic diseases like heart disease and cancer and to promoting optimum health. Researchers have tested foods to understand their antioxidant capacity. One test called Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity or ORAC for short showed that strawberries are packed with antioxidants, most notably anthocyanins, the pigment that makes strawberries red. The only problem, researchers warned, is that we don't know if the antioxidants get into the body efficiently.
Well, preliminary results from a study on strawberries conducted by Dr. Gene Spiller of the Sphera Foundation show that 30 minutes and 60 minutes after eating strawberries antioxidant levels in the body peak markedly. This reveals that the antioxidants in strawberries are efficiently absorbed. Once antioxidants are absorbed, they are able to fight free radicals—rogue compounds that wreak havoc on the body.
- Strawberries are packed with antioxidants.
- Anthocyanins are the antioxidants that make strawberries red.
- Antioxidants in strawberries are efficiently absorbed into the body.
Source: California Strawberry Commission
Nutritional Profile of Strawberries
Source: USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference
Nutrients | 1 cup fresh | 1 cup canned, heavy syrup | 1 cup unthawed, unsweetened frozen |
---|---|---|---|
Weight | 144 grams | 254 grams | 255 grams |
Calories | 46 | 234 | 199 |
Protein | 0.96 grams | 1.42 grams | 1.33 grams |
Lipid (fat) | 0.43 grams | 0.66 grams | 0.36 grams |
Carbohydrate, by difference | 11.06 grams | 59.77 grams | 53.55 grams |
Fiber, total dietary | 2.9 grams | 4.3 grams | 4.8 grams |
Sugars, total | 6.71 grams | 55.45 grams | 48.37 grams |
Sucrose | 0.17 grams | ||
Glucose (dextrose) | 2.94 grams | ||
Fructose | 3.60 grams | ||
Starch | 0.06 grams | ||
Calcium | 23 mg | 33 mg | 28 mg |
Iron | 0.60 mg | 1.24 mg | 1.20 mg |
Magnesium | 19 mg | 20 mg | 15 mg |
Phosphorus | 35 mg | 30 mg | 31 mg |
Potassium | 220 mg | 218 mg | 250 mg |
Sodium | 1 mg | 10 mg | 3 mg |
Zinc | 0.20 mg | 0.23 mg | 0.13 mg |
Copper | 0.069 mg | 0.160 mg | 0.048 mg |
Manganese | 0.556 mg | 0.508 mg | 0.635 mg |
Selenium | 0.6 mcg | 0.8 mcg | 1.8 mcg |
Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 84.7 mg | 80.5 mg | 100.7 mg |
Thiamin | 0.035 mg | 0.053 mg | 0.038 mg |
Riboflavin | 0.032 mg | 0.086 mg | 0.196 mg |
Niacin | 0.556 mg | 0.145 mg | 0.747 mg |
Pantothenic acid | 0.180 mg | 0.455 mg | 0.275 mg |
Vitamin B-6 | 0.068 mg | 0.124 mg | 0.071 mg |