When Are Strawberries in Season?

Here’s a not-so-hot take: strawberries are an incredible fruit. They’re beautiful to look at, delicious to eat and rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. And they’re grown right here in the United States! 

Their growing season varies on region and climate, but most strawberries are in season during the early spring and early summer months. Here at Fetch, we see a huge spike in strawberry sales from February to June.

If you’re buying out-of-season strawberries, be prepared to pay a bit extra. Prices go up by about $1 from November to February. 

Here, Fetch takes a closer look at where strawberries are grown and how they’re best stored and enjoyed.

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Where are strawberries grown? 

In the United States, California is the leading producer of strawberries. The state’s warm climate and fertile soil conditions are exactly what strawberries need to thrive. Oregon, Washington, North Carolina and Michigan also contribute to the country’s strawberry production. 

How do strawberries grow? 

Ever wonder, “Do strawberries grow on trees?” You wouldn’t be the first. 

Strawberries are actually the fruit that develops from the flowers of strawberry plants, which grow close to the ground. Leaves and runners spread from the base of the plant, which eventually give life to the strawberries themselves. 

How to know if strawberries are ripe

In order to pick the most flavorful strawberries at your local grocery store, there are a few things to consider. 

A tasty, ripe strawberry will be: 

1. Bright red in color
2. Firm but not too hard
3. Plump and evenly sized
4. Shiny or glossy in appearance

Remember, strawberries are delicate fruits so be gentle and handle them with care.

How long do strawberries last? 

The shelf life of strawberries depends on a lot of factors, like their freshness when purchased and your fridge’s storage conditions. 

Typically, whole strawberries will last for 3 to 7 days if they’re stored properly. Cut strawberries won’t last quite that long and should be consumed within 1 to 3 days of purchase. 

How to store strawberries 

Here are a few tips to maximize the freshness and shelf life of the strawberries you purchase:

1. Avoid washing until you’re ready to eat. Moisture can lead to mold growth, and moldy strawberries really kill the vibe. 
2. Remove damaged strawberries before storing. Berries that are soft or beat up are more likely to develop mold and go bad. 
3. Store them around 34 degrees Fahrenheit. At this temperature, your strawberries will stay firm and fresh for several days. 
4. Freeze strawberries to extend their shelf life. Rinse with water, remove the stem, cut as desired and freeze on a baking sheet before transferring to a freezer bag. Frozen strawberries will last for several months. 

3 of our favorite strawberry recipes

Strawberries are a versatile fruit that comes in many forms. Whether you’ve got fresh strawberries, freeze-dried strawberries or even strawberry (flavored) Jello, we’ve got you covered with a few of our favorite recipes. And don’t forget, when putting together your shopping list, to use Fetch as your grocery app in order to earn the most points on your receipt!

How to Make Candied Strawberries

Treat yourself to a bite of decadence with these candy-coated strawberries that come together in minutes and will make you question why you never tried this sooner. 

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. fresh strawberries
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 cup water
• ¼ cup corn syrup

Recipe:

1. Combine sugar, water and corn syrup in saucepan over medium heat.
2. Once sugar dissolves, turn up heat to simmer. While heating, skewer your strawberries. 
3. Heat the sugar mixture until it bubbles, thickens and turns golden. 
4. Quickly dip each strawberry (on skewers) in the mixture and tap off the excess. Place on parchment paper to harden. 

How to Make Strawberry Acai Refresher

There’s a reason this drink is such a popular summer pick at Starbucks. It’s the perfect refreshing drink for a hot day by the pool. Or literally any other situation. It’s delicious wherever you take it, we promise. 

Ingredients: 

• 3 cups water
• 2 ½ cups white grape juice
• 2 ½ teaspoon freeze-dried strawberry (powder)
• 1 teaspoon freeze-dried acai (powder)
• ¾ teaspoon green coffee bean extract (powder)
• 2 teaspoon passion fruit puree, ¼ teaspoon at a time to adjust flavor
• Ice

Recipe: 

1. Combine powdered ingredients with a few tablespoons of water, stir until dissolved and thoroughly mixed. 
2. Slowly stir in the remaining water, passion fruit puree and white grape juice. 
3. Serve over ice with fresh strawberries.

How to Make Strawberry Crunch

This is our guilty pleasure pick. Sure, it doesn’t actually contain any real strawberries. But it’s strawberry-inspired and that’s good enough for us! 

Ingredients:

• 24 Golden Oreos
• 4 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 (3 oz) box strawberry Jell-O

Recipe:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Crush the Golden Oreos into very small crumbles. You can use either a food processor, or place the Oreos in a plastic bag and pound them with a meat mallet or rolling pin. They do not all have to be the same size.
3. Place the crumbled Oreos in a medium bowl, and add strawberry Jell-O powder and melted butter. Mix gently to combine.
4. Spread the mixture onto a greased baking sheet (or top the baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat first). Bake for 8 minutes.
5. Remove from the oven and let cool.

Put your strawberry IQ to the test! 

Head to the store and pick up a container for yourself. And before heading to the checkout, check your offers in our receipt app to maximize your Fetch points. 

Enjoy the strawberries, and don’t forget to snap your grocery receipt!