Fragaria ananassa is commonly known as strawberry. Scientifically speaking, strawberry is an aggregate accessory fruit and not the actual fruit. It is a red coloured, juicy fruit that is sweet, sometimes sour to taste. Strawberry is probably the cutest looking fruit that attracts all especially kids. The fruit is consumed all over the world either in fresh form or as an ingredient in juices, ice creams, milk shakes etc. Strawberry flavouring is one of the most used flavours in food, beverages, make up and fragrance industry.

History –

It was first cultivated in France in the 1750s. Before this, the fruit grew in wild. The use of strawberry became popular because of its medicinal values. Different types of strawberries that vary in size, shape, colour and taste are grown in the different parts of the world. Usually the creeper grows in cool places like hill stations.

Appearance –

The fruit is small, heart shaped red in colour with a green calyx on the head. The surface is spotted and rough with more than 200 seeds on its outer membrane. The inner texture is soft and succulent. The tiny fruit could be eaten in one bite. it will be the most attractive fruit in your fruit baskets.

Commercial uses –

Along with being eaten just like a plain fresh fruit, strawberry has other uses too.

• It is consumed with fresh cream.
• It is used as a topping for cakes and pastries.
• It makes a delicious milkshake.
• It is used to make ice creams.
• It is used in making preservatives
• It is used to flavour chocolates and candies.
• It is also used to add flavour to hand sanitizers and perfumes.
• It is used to make pies and puddings.
• It is used to add flavour to lip gloss, lip colours and perfumes.
• The flavour is used in many other foods, beverages, confections and cosmetics.

Health benefits –

100g of strawberry has about 33 kilocalories. It is an excellent source of vitamin C. It also contains manganese, other vitamins, dietary minerals and essential fatty acids. This fruit is high in nutrients and low in calories. Strawberry is good for –

• Reduces risk of Cardiovascular diseases
• Lessens the effects of Inflammation and ulcers.
• Controls your hypertension and blood pressure.
• It can prevent cancer.
• It is a good fruit for people suffering from Diabetes.
• You can manage your allergies and asthma too by regularly eating strawberries.
• It relieves you from constipation.
• Can lessen the effects of depression.
• Strawberry also has anti aging factors.
• It promotes the health of your bone.
• It is a very good fruit for women who are pregnant.

Instant serving ideas –

• Add chopped strawberries in to your green salad.
• Blend strawberries and use it as a sauce on your favouring ice creams.
• Add chopped strawberries to your cereal.

 You can find more than 600 varieties of strawberries across the world. So, do not forget to include this magical fruit in your fruit baskets. It is going to improve your beauty as well as health.

Grapes are a type of berry of woody, deciduous vines, belonging to the genus Vitis. They are very tasty, eaten raw or in the form of juice, jam, wine, jelly, grape seed oil, vinegar and raisins.  Grapes are thus very versatile type of fruits. They make for ideal ingredients in fruit baskets.

But here are some less known, interesting facts about grapes:

• Grapes are classified botanically as berries: They are a type of berry with fleshy inside and leathery cover, much like blue-berries.

• There are around 8000 varieties of grapes, found in around 60 species. Major types are European and American.

• One cup of grapes has only 100 calories but is rich in anti-oxidants, vitamins C and K.

• One bottle of wine takes 2. 5 pounds of grapes to make it.

• Raisins refer to dried grapes which are left to cure in sunlight.

• Grapes come in a variety of colours: purple, pink, yellow, green, black, etc.

• Most grapes originate from cultivars made of Vitis Vinifera, the grape vine native to Central Asia and the Mediterranean.

• Around 71% of grapes cultivated in the world are used to make wine, 2% as dried fruit and 27% as fresh fruit.

• The most widely cultivated grape variety is the Sultanas, also called as Thompson seedless.

• Grapes are divided into table grapes and wine grapes. Table grapes are eaten raw, are seedless and have less sugar content than wine grapes which are seeded and used to make wine.

• Grapes are vegetatively propagated by cutting and lack of seeds does not hinder reproduction. At present, there are over a dozen types of seedless grapes which you can include in a basket of fruit.

• Grape juice is fermented to make wine, vinegar or brandy.

• Dried grapes contain around 15% water.

• The making of wine started from as back as 5000 BC.

• Grapes help lower risk of heart attacks by increasing levels of nitric acid in the blood which prevent formation of blood clots.

• Grapes are used to cure indigestion, asthma, migraine, fatigue and kidney disease.

• They contain low levels of fat, sodium and cholesterol.

• They can have laxative effect when consumed in a large quantity.

• Grapes have 80% content of water and make for a good low calorie snack.

• An acre of grape plantation can make 15,000 cups of wine.

• The global wine industry produces over 70 million tons a year.

• The grape industry is the biggest food based industry in the world.

• Australia makes over 1 billion litres of wine annually.

• Napa Valley in California has the highest concentration of wineries in the world (over 200).

• Grapes are rich in phyto-nutrients like Poly-phenolic anti-oxidants, minerals and vitamins. One phyto-nutrient is Resveratrol, which protects body from cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer, etc. Another group is Anthocyanins, which have anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic qualities.

These are some uncommon facts about grapes- one of the world’s most popular fruits.