The most important etiquette rules on how to serve and eat strawberries. Tips to be the ideal host or the perfect guest.
What strawberry etiquette is
Strawberry etiquette is the set of rules to properly serve and eat strawberries. Such rules help avoid behaviors that can disrespect hosts or guests, or make you look unpolite.
If you are hosting, follow strawberries etiquette to serve them to your guests appropriately.
If you are a guest, respect strawberries’ etiquette rules to properly eat and enjoy them.
What you should know about strawberries
Strawberries are a fruit. Their color is bright red. They have a sweet flavor and a juicy texture.
Strawberries are available all year long. Their main season is during the spring months. In cooler climates such as the UK, the peak season is around June. In warmer regions, such as Florida, the season starts in February.
Etiquette tips to serve and eat strawberries
1) How to store strawberries
If you keep strawberries outside of the fridge, eat them within 2 days.
It is best to store whole strawberries in the fridge. They can last between 5 and 7 days.
You can store strawberries in the freezer. They can last for up to 6 to 8 months.
Cut strawberries can last between 1 and 3 days in the fridge.
2) How to clean strawberries
Place strawberries in a bowl with water and vinegar. Alternatively, use water and salt. Let them rest for about 20 minutes. Then, wash strawberries under cool running water.
Dry them on a kitchen cloth or paper towels.
3) How to prepare strawberries
There are several popular ways to prepare strawberries.
Bake them in pies or sweet dishes. Add them to ice cream, yogurt, or a fruit salad. Use strawberries for milkshakes. Make a jam. Or press them to extract their juice.
Some guests can experience an allergic reaction to eating strawberries. Before you plan your menu, make sure that your guests are not allergic to strawberries.
4) How to serve & present strawberries
Serve strawberries for breakfast, as a snack, or in a fruit course after a meal.
You can serve strawberries with or without leaves. It is best to remove the leaves.
Serve uncooked strawberries whole or sliced. Wash strawberries before serving them. Alternatively, provide guests with a small bowl of water to wash the strawberries at the table.
Accompany strawberries with sugar, cream, or whipped cream. Serve strawberries as an accompaniment to a dessert, ice cream, or sorbet.
5) Foods and beverages to serve strawberries with
Pair strawberries with fruit in fruit salads. Apple, banana, berries, lemon, peach, pineapple, or melon. Their aroma goes well with mint, vanilla, and rhubarb.
Strawberries mix well with chocolate, sugar, balsamic vinegar, and dairy. Soft and delicate cheese, such as cream cheese, cottage cheese, or ricotta. Yogurt, Kefir, or mascarpone.
Pair strawberries with a light wine. Light red wines such as Pinot Noir. Light white wines such as an unoaked Chardonnay. Champagne and sparkling wines such as Prosecco. Sweet dessert wines such as Moscato or Passito.
6) How to eat strawberries
At the dining table, you should eat strawberries with a fork and knife. If strawberries are served with leaves, remove the leaf with a fork and knife. If you are unable to do it with a knife, remove the leaf with your fingers. Discard the leaves on one side of your plate.
On informal occasions, it is acceptable to eat strawberries with your fingers.
Strawberry etiquette: the worst mistakes
The Rude Index identifies and ranks negative behaviors.
A high score (8-10) means that the behavior has the potential to trigger a conflict with others. A medium score (4-7) means that the behavior risks making you look inelegant and unsophisticated. More about the Rude Index and its methodology here.
Avoid the worst strawberry etiquette mistakes.
- 8/10. Serving spoiled strawberries.
- 8/10. Serving unwashed strawberries.
- 7/10. Serving unripe strawberries.
- 6/10. Putting more than 2 strawberries in your mouth at a time.
Additional information for properly serving strawberries
How many calories per serving?
Counting calories is important to stay healthy and to correctly plan a menu.
Strawberries contain about 33 calories per 100 grams. On average, a single strawberry contains 4 calories. One individual serving of strawberries is around 130 grams (one cup). It contains 45 calories.
How to buy the best strawberries
A crucial factor in strawberry etiquette is to serve the best product possible to your guests.
Season and availability
Imported strawberries are available all year round. In the northern hemisphere, the season usually runs from late May to September.
Choose the best
Ripe strawberries look plump. They are bright red in color and have a sweet aroma. They should feel firm.
Small or medium strawberries tend to have more flavor compared to the larger ones.
Alternatives to strawberries
Other berries are the most common substitutes. Raspberries are perhaps the most popular.