Since when are strawberries an ‘everyday essential’ in the depths of winter?

My two little granddaughters have strawberries on their porridge every morning. Also in their packed lunches. So, I suppose they are?

No, they're not.

Our expectations have changed and we no longer appreciate foods in season.

They do not even have any taste and are very white in the middle but my OH insists on buying them with raspberries to have on his cereal. However we need our vitamins and I am just as bad as I have pineapple but what British fruit is there other than pears and apples?

Me too Witzend, I look forward to the year's treasures- strawberries, asparagus and chestnuts etc in season, there's always something special to look forward to but essentials are day to day items.

Unless it’s with cream and a sprinkling of sugar 😋

I would definitely not buy strawberries in wintertime.

Neither would I. British strawberries in season only.

I buy frozen mixed berries to have with my yogurt or porridge. My husband buys strawberries and raspberries but I'd rather wait until the British ones are in season.

My grandchildren are here for the week-end. granddaughter loves her strawberries, she's gluten intolerant so her go to breakfast here is toasted gluten free waffles, spread with Nutella, topped with sliced strawberries and a dusting of icing sugar. Sad face this morning, all of that minus the strawberries, Explained the concept of buying fruits and veg when they are in season.

What are the gluten free waffles like, Terribull?

Whether you buy them in winter or not, strawberries are not an essential food.

One reason I would never buy strawberries in winter is that the countries and methods by which strawberries are grown in thos places means they are invariably tasteless. Why pay over the odds for an inherently substandard product just to eat it out of season?

i have never thought of or been aware of fruits having seasons, except by reading about it in here and similar.
if i want a raspberry or whatever, i will pay to have one.
don't care where it comes from.
perhaps i am less aware of this as i never cared for strawberries.

Callistemon21

What are the gluten free waffles like, Terribull?

Schar make them Callistemon, they are quite delicate and have to be handled carefully when putting them in the toaster, otherwise they break up. Like most other gluten free products a rip off somewhat expensive, but she likes them and my role as a grandparent is to indulge

also we rarely had fruit at home when i was a child, except for tinned fruit after sunday dinner.
which i did like.
no berries though.
for a long time i wouldn't eat the little pale green fruits in a tin of fruit cocktail, as i didn't like gooseberries.
tried them once: bitter and prickly=horrid.
i have since found out that those little green things are and were grapes, but i have make myself eat them, still have an aversion.
i do like grapes. but never buy them.
have i mentioned that i am not a foodie; you'd never have guessed, would you !

We freeze berries in summer - always an essential food here.

Frozen strawberries for me,until summer season. At least they taste like strawberries, as picked at their best time,than the tasteless ones in the shops. A weakness.

TerriBull

Callistemon21

What are the gluten free waffles like, Terribull?

Schar make them Callistemon, they are quite delicate and have to be handled carefully when putting them in the toaster, otherwise they break up. Like most other gluten free products a rip off somewhat expensive, but she likes them and my role as a grandparent is to indulge

Yes, some GF breads break up, Tesco's own in particular.

Of course, if DGD likes strawberries, then strawberries she must have (Granny's allowed to spoil them!).

I have never had success with freezing strawberries. When thawed they have always been mushy.

Dh has strawberries on his cereal every day - but only when they’re in season in the UK - and the season is pretty long now.

Gdcs love them, but out of season they’re an occasional treat, especially if they’re staying with Granny. 🍓

I’d have thought that ‘everyday essentials’ would include bread, milk, potatoes, eggs, cheese, pasta, etc.

I buy strawberries from the local PYO farm shop, in season, ie summer, and they’re a real treat. I’ve no interest in supermarket strawberries at any time, but I’d certainly never buy the imported abominations.

I don’t generally buy strawberries in winter but I had both my GC staying and they eat so much fruit that I bought strawbs yesterday. They were from Morocco and I have to say, for the first time ever, they tasted ok. They still won’t be a regular in my shopping, though.

Germanshepherdsmum

I have never had success with freezing strawberries. When thawed they have always been mushy.

Yes, I froze some once and when I defrosted them they were mushy.
I only buy them when in season but to me they don't taste like they did years ago. They used to be nice and sweet but always seem on the bitter side from the supermarkets.

I use frozen strawberries, raspberries and blueberries out of season. Berries are so good for health. Then fresh, especially if I can get to Pick Your Own somewhere, in season

I don’t like supermarket strawberries even in season. We have a marvellous PYO farm nearby and their strawberries are brilliant.