Strawberry, or musky strawberry (Latin Fragaria moschata) is a herbaceous perennial plant of the pink family. Also known as shpanka or nutmeg strawberry. Very often, strawberries are called garden strawberries, which, in fact, have nothing to do with this type of plant.
Strawberries are very ancient berries. Archaeological research indicates that strawberries appeared in European forests as early as the Neolithic era. The first mentions of her are found in Egyptian and Greek manuscripts, Virgil wrote in his writings. Wild strawberries grew mainly in the Pyrenees; after that, already cultivated, it got to other regions. It can still be found in the wild, mainly in European forests. Culturally found in many more countries and in different regions. Strawberries are shade-tolerant, therefore, with proper care, they can also grow in the northern regions.
The composition and useful properties of strawberries
Due to their chemical composition, strawberries are a very useful and valuable product. They contain natural sugars (up to 9%), organic acids – malic, quinic, salicylic, citric, phosphoric; pectin and ballast substances, a small amount of vitamin B, vitamin C, flavonoids, carotene, essential oil, anthocyanins. After ripening, succinic acid appears, a small amount of shikimic and glycolic acids.
Strawberries are one of the few berries that can be called a dietary product. Berries contain relatively little sugars, do not contain fats, and at the same time have a low calorie content – only 39 kcal per 100 grams of product. Fresh berries, as well as strawberry leaves, have a mild diuretic effect. A decoction of strawberry leaves has a diaphoretic effect, helps with colds.
The beneficial properties of strawberries are widely used in cooking and cosmetology. Many cosmetic products are made on the basis of it; Due to the content of various fruit acids, cosmetic products have a strong anti-aging and rejuvenating effect. Strawberries are used to flavor various cosmetics, in perfumery – many famous perfumes have strawberry notes.
Cooking application
Strawberries are consumed fresh, and they also make jam, jams, confiture from them, and are used to prepare and decorate confectionery. Strawberries are used to make various liqueurs, wines, liqueurs, flavored teas, coffee and tobacco.
