Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Strawberries

We’re answering your burning questions about strawberries and giving you everything you need to know.

Strawberries are a fun and fascinating fruit. They can be eaten alone, dipped in chocolate, baked into a pie, or dropped into champagne. They’re perfect for a summer picnic in dishes like this Strawberry Pretzel Salad or Strawberry Fluff, some comfort food, like a fresh slice of homemade bread with butter and Strawberry Freezer Jam, or the perfect exclamation point on a romantic evening with the easiest Chocolate Covered Strawberries ever. But how much does the average person know about one of the most versatile fruits in existence?

As it turns out, not much. I recently did a little research to find out what people were curious about when it came to strawberries. I found 10 questions that range from informative to fun, and figured it might be a good idea to dive into these questions and answer them all to spread education and awareness about this very special fruit.

How Many Calories are There in Strawberries?

The average medium-sized strawberry (about 12g) contains four calories, making it a perfect light snack.

Can Dogs Eat Strawberries?

Figuring out what you can and can’t feed your dog can be terrifying. (Chocolate can KILL them!?) Well, breathe easy in knowing that strawberries are perfectly safe for man’s best friend to enjoy. However, it’s important to note that canned strawberries, or strawberries found in a syrup are not good for dogs and can cause issues.

How Do You Pick Strawberries?

When I first saw this question, my first response was, “duh, just grab them and pull.” Well, apparently I’m a strawberry fool because there is a preferred picking method.

First, grasp the stem between your thumbnail and forefinger and pull, giving a slight twist. You want to break the stem about a half inch from the berry. Then, just allow it to roll into your hand.

Are There Carbs In Strawberries?

Yup! But not a whole lot. A medium-sized strawberry has 0.9g of carbohydrates. Sorry, keto folks!

Can Strawberry Shortcake Be Frozen?

I’m going to assume we mean the food here and not some kind of cryogenic suspension for the beloved cartoon character.

You certainly can freeze strawberry shortcake. In fact, some people freeze their shortcakes for a few days before ever cutting into it! Again… the food not the character. Go ahead, give it a try with our Bisquick Strawberry Shortcake or classic Strawberry Shortcake.

Can Strawberry Leaves Be Eaten?

Not only can you eat the leaves of a strawberry, but they can help alleviate an upset stomach and treat symptoms of bloating, cramps, nausea, and diarrhea. However, I would advise against eating a whole bunch of them. They can place stress on the digestive system when eaten in bulk.

Which Strawberry Variety Is Sweetest?

Alpine strawberries are called the lollies of the strawberry world. They’re small in size but they pack a super sweet and intense flavor.

How Is Strawberry Jam Made?

It depends. You can make this no-cook Strawberry Freezer Jam or this “cook and can” Homemade Strawberry Jam. The first involves pureeing strawberries and mixing them with sugar and pectin before freezing. The freezer keeps your jam fresh for months. The second version relies on old-school canning methods. You puree your strawberries and combine them with other ingredients and then you use a hot water bath to seal jars of jam. This latter version of strawberry jam keeps for months on your counter, no need to refrigerate (but do make sure you’ve followed the instructions carefully).

How Do You Dry Strawberries?

Place your berries curvy-side down on a parchment lined cookie sheet. Space them out so that the air has room to flow through them. Bake them slowly in the oven at 200°F for a full two hours on one side. Then flip them over and bake another two hours.

How Do You Freeze Strawberries?

You can keep strawberries for up to six months if frozen, but there’s more to it than just sticking them in the freezer. Check out our handy guide for How to Freeze Strawberries. Tip: Make sure you don’t soak them in water for too long, as that will drain the berries of their natural flavor and nutrients.

So, there you have it. Everything you’ve ever wanted to know about strawberries. What’s your favorite way to eat this amazing fruit? Sound off and let us know!

This post originally appeared in June 2018 and was revised and republished in April 2022.