How To Make The Most Of Strawberry Season View page

Sweet Spot: How To Make The Most Of Strawberry Season

Our favourite season of the year is here – this is how to make the most of devouring bucketloads of strawberries as they hit their sweet spot.

The stellar marriage of strawberries and cream is summer’s more glamorous answer to tea and digestives for sheer quintessential Britishness. In the UK, the average consumption of these delicious red jewels is roughly three kilos per person per year – and, best of all, from March to November, we produce just about enough of them domestically to sustain those quantities, meaning that eating in-season strawberries is sustainable too.

So, whether you like to devour yours in front of one of this summer's sporting events or, simply, you like them to round off al fresco repasts on balmy evenings, here’s how to make the very most of strawberry season.

Best Varieties

If you are growing strawberries, now is the time (May/June) for your young plants to head outside. Whether you are buying already established varieties at garden centres or you’re simply buying them to eat from farmers’ markets, these are the sweetest varieties to look for. No need for added sugar here.

Royal Sovereign

Royal Sovereign is a heritage strawberry that dates back to 1892 when it was first introduced by Laxtons Nursery. Today, they still beat the competition in terms of flavour, which is sweeter and somehow old-fashioned – in a good way.

Albion

Semi-evergreen, this variety crops as early as late May and can go on all the way until September. Arrestingly bright and conical in shape, they are noted for their particular sweetness.

Cambridge Favourite

Orange-red in hue, Cambridge Favourites are amongst the most popular type of strawberries with gardeners, as they crop reliably and are disease resistant. They taste excellent too.

Best Organic Creams

We are delighted to eat our sweet fresh strawberries unadorned. But if we are feeling traditional, there is no denying how winning a combination strawberries and cream is. Classic, in fact.

Cotteswold Fresh Organic Double Cream

Based in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, Cotteswold Dairy’s cream is made from milk sourced from local farms close to its dairy and from farmers who care as much about quality as they do, ensuring that Cotteswold products are of the highest quality and from cows that have been treated with the highest respect.

Riverford’s Organic Double Cream

Rich, silky and indulgent, this is a great cream for pouring or whipping. Ergo, strawberries sorted.

Legges of Bromyard’s Grass-Fed Double Cream

This Shropshire grass-fed cream is noticeably thicker than its supermarket equivalent, as well as being naturally sweet. Produced at Mawley Farm Town Farm in South Shropshire where cows graze on the countryside, it is all natural and naturally good.

Best Strawberry Recipes

If you have eaten your three kilos-worth of strawberries au naturel and find yourself looking for new ways to consume these sweet summer fruits, look no further.

Watercress & Strawberry Salad

Country Living

Salads that feature fruit are always a summer favourite. This one is a knock-out, pairing the sweet juices of the strawbs (further brought out by the honey) with the peppery bite of the watercress and the salt tang of the cheese. The perfect balance. Find the recipe here.

Filo Pastry With Strawberries, Rosewater and Cardomom Cream

Olive Magazine

Strawberries make a natural summertime pudding. But if you want to up your game, try out this showstopper. First dreamt up at Morito, Hackney, it is delicate, flavoursome and sweetly perfumed. Perfect summer dinner party fare, right there. Find the recipe here.

Strawberry Daiquiri

Delish

When the hot weather really hits, there is nothing so refreshing as a strawberry daiquiri. Frosty and rum-soaked, this is a truly heady way to enjoy the bounty of the season. Find the recipe here.

Best Bowls For Strawberries & Cream

Frankly, we’d eat ours out of any old container, such is our devotion to the in-season strawberry. But these lovely bowls would undeniably look very fine filled with the fleshy red delights and lashings of the aforementioned cream.

OKA

Kintaro Bowls - Set of Four - Cochineal, £65

Susie Watson

Strawberry French Bowl, £28

Emma Bridgewater

Black Toast Crystal Glass Set Of 2 Pudding Bowls, £100

Frequently Asked Questions

When is English strawberry season?

The English strawberry season typically runs from late May to early September, with June and July offering the sweetest, juiciest berries. Thanks to the UK's mild climate and modern growing methods, you can enjoy delicious home-grown strawberries throughout the summer.

How do I choose the best English strawberries?

Look for strawberries that are:

Bright, glossy red all over

Firm but plump

Sweet-smelling

Topped with fresh, green leaves

Avoid punnets with mouldy, bruised or soft berries, as these can quickly affect the rest.

Should I wash strawberries before storing them?

No. It's best to store strawberries unwashed and only rinse them just before you plan to eat them. Excess moisture encourages mould, so keeping them dry helps them stay fresher for longer.

What's the best way to wash strawberries?

Rinse strawberries gently under cool running water just before serving. Leave the green tops on while washing, then remove them afterwards to stop the fruit absorbing excess water. Pat dry carefully with kitchen paper before eating.

How should I store fresh strawberries?

Store strawberries in the fridge in their original punnet or a shallow container lined with kitchen paper. Keep them in a single layer if possible and avoid sealing them in an airtight container, as a little airflow helps reduce moisture build-up.

How long do English strawberries last?

Fresh strawberries are best enjoyed within three to five days of buying them. Check them regularly and remove any berries that become soft or mouldy to help keep the remaining fruit fresh.
Can I freeze strawberries?
Yes! Wash and thoroughly dry the strawberries, remove the green tops if you wish, then freeze them in a single layer on a tray before transferring them to a freezer bag or container. Frozen strawberries are perfect for smoothies, baking, sauces and desserts.

Why do strawberries go mouldy so quickly?

Strawberries have a high water content and delicate skin, making them prone to mould. Moisture, warmth and damaged fruit all speed up spoilage. Storing them dry and removing any spoiled berries promptly will help extend their shelf life.

What's the best way to enjoy English strawberries?

When they're in season, English strawberries need very little to shine. Enjoy them with fresh cream, stirred through Greek yoghurt, in an Eton Mess, on top of pavlova, or simply eaten straight from the punnet. Their naturally sweet flavour also works beautifully in jams, tarts and summer salads.