Supermarket Strawberries

were they grown in the uk?

I'm so lucky as we have a local supplier and they don't refrigerate them

M and S diamond are foolproof

I had some cracking strawberries from Tesco this week. Not their “finest” range but a big punnet full of fat large juicy strawberries, I ate most of the punnet on my own haha. No sugar no cream no ice cream, just rinsed them and ate them!

Sainsbury's strawberries are always juicy and tasty. Grown in the UK.

I grow my own. Alpine strawberries that taste just like strawberries should, a good intense flavour. The berries are small but really pack a taste punch. If I buy from the shops I usually get M&S as being the most reliable, and only ever British grown.

Strawberries do not ripen after picking so the timing is imperative.
Also most of our UK strawberries are indoor, nothing beats the flavour of outdoor grown strawberries in June.

Hampshire historically had the Strawberry Coast, particularly Hamble Valley, not so extensive now, but plenty of local growers.
Supermarkets often store fruit in a chilled environment before displaying, this can affect the taste.

This week we have been given several big bowls of strawberries straight off my friend’s allotment. They were delicious.

Tesco usually do a large tray with a single layer of beautiful strawberries which are perfect as they don’t get bruised or dented. I think they’re about £4 a tray.

If the strawberries have a white bit below the leaves, they were picked too early and are therefore hard and tasteless. So avoid those!

If you refrigerate them, take them out to 'acclimatise' before serving.