White strawberries, also known as white pearl are becoming very popular in the United States. But it’s very hard to get one anywhere!
One of life’s basic joys is munching on fresh, juicy strawberries. For much of the United States, June is peak strawberry season, therefore summer has officially begun. However, there is one kind of strawberry that you won’t find anyplace else in the country: the white strawberry.
What are strawberries? They’re precisely what you think they’re going to be! White strawberries are similar to red strawberries, but they lack a certain protein, resulting in white skin and deep red seeds. These fruits have the same flavor and scent as their red cousins.
What Makes Them Different from Regular Strawberries?
This white strawberry is unlike any other, with white inside and out, firmly buried red seeds, and a subtle milky pink color on the skin. The white strawberry, not to be confused with pineberries, a hybrid strawberry grown in the United States and Europe, is larger, juicier, and sweeter than the typical retail strawberry.
The unique white and red combo is created by precise cultivation, which limits its exposure to light and so inhibits the growth of the traditional red strawberries. While growing, the strawberry is exposed to relatively little sunlight, which reduces quantities of anthocyanin, which gives strawberries their distinctive color. It takes a lot of time and works to grow these white berries, and they generally have a limited yield, which adds to their exorbitant price.
White strawberries will cost more than normal berries. There are various sorts of white strawberries, and the few that are available are sold at posh fruit stores in Japan, where a single strawberry may cost more than $10. Their distinct flavor, a blend of pineapple and candy-like sweetness, makes them extremely popular in the luxury fruit market.
What is the origin of the white strawberry?
Strawberries are said to have originated in the United States, although they are currently farmed all over the world. This fruit is produced by a perennial plant that thrives in brightly lit regions. White strawberries are now created by crossing several strawberry species. The pineberry is the most well-known white strawberry species. White strawberries are grown and consumed extensively in Japan, where they are known as the “white pearl.”
White strawberries, botanically a member of the Fragaria genus, are a rare Rosaceae family berry. White strawberries are found all throughout the world, with diverse looks, tastes, and origins. A few species, such as Alpine, Beach, and Pineberries, existed in the wild as natural mutations of red strawberries, but newer commercial cultivars have recently been produced in Japan for greater market appeal. White strawberries are not genetically engineered in Japan and have been organically grown over many years to produce pale fruits with a sweet, mildly tart flavor.
White strawberries are tastier than red strawberries, despite their immature look. Hatsukoi no Kaori, which means “scent of first love” in Japanese, was released in the early twenty-first century and immediately became a favored variety farmed for the Japanese luxury fruit market. White strawberries are still one of the most popular specialty fruits in Japan, with over 50 varieties available, including Pearl White, White Rabbit, and White Jewel. White strawberries are excellent fresh-eating fruits with a unique hue, delicate flavor, and soft texture.
Where to Get White Strawberries?
There are around 50 types of white strawberries, including the famed Japanese gem strawberries. White subspecies of wild strawberries, such as alpine strawberries and seashore strawberries, are also included.
The fruits are only accessible in Japan; they are not offered in supermarkets in the United States. If you happen to be in Japan, you may buy strawberries in shops or pick them up yourself at a strawberry farm. Furthermore, if you have a green thumb, you may cultivate white strawberries right in your own garden.
Types of White Strawberries
- Albicarpa Krem
- Pineapple Crush
- White Delight
- White Giant
- White Solemacher
- White Soul
Growing Requirements for White Strawberries
White strawberries are simple perennial plants that may be grown in the yard or in containers. Plant them in a location that is protected from late spring frosts and receives at least six hours of sunshine every day. Plants can be cultivated from seed indoors or acquired as transplants. When the minimum outside soil temperature is 60 degrees F, transplant in the spring or fall (15 C.).
Strawberries are all heavy feeders, particularly of phosphorus and potassium. They grow best on well-drained, loamy soil and should be treated as needed. Plant the transplants until the crown is slightly above the soil line and the root is completely covered with dirt. Water them well and maintain a continuous supply of irrigation, ideally with a drip irrigation system, to prevent water from the leaves and fruit, which can grow fungus and illness.
Strawberry plant pots that work well
Although it may appear to be a minor factor, container selection has an influence on the health of your plants as well as the amount of watering required. Choose a container without drainage holes, for example, and you’ll soon discover the impact moist soil has on plant health. As a result, make sure to select a container with plenty of drainage holes. Two to three plants can be accommodated in a conventional 12-to-14-inch diameter hanging pot or basket. The berries are around an inch long and have a delicious pineapple-strawberry taste.
How to Grow White Strawberries in the Garden
Choose a spot in the garden that gets at least 6 hours of direct sunshine every day and is protected from late spring frosts. Strawberries want rich, fertile soil, so add some organic matter to the soil before planting. Plant the bare-root plants or runners 12 inches (30 cm) apart, mulching around the base to keep the soil moist. The plants will begin to blossom when the temperature warms up in the spring, and the strawberries will be ready to pick up approximately 4 to 6 weeks after the plant’s flower.
The first year of development may not produce many pineberries on each vine, and those that do produce are generally modest in size. Some people like to pinch off the blossoms as they appear in the first year of growth to assist the plant to establish itself and give more in subsequent years. The plants may be left in the ground over the winter, but they must be thoroughly mulched to protect them from frost, snow, and low weather.
Common Pest and Diseases of White Strawberries
Slugs and birds can cause significant harm to white strawberries. You may make a slug trap out of beer, use a pet-safe slug repellant, or go slug hunting in the garden after dark and pluck them out one by one. After the plants have been pollinated, it is a good idea to cover them with netting to prevent birds from consuming the maturing fruit. Powdery mildew can also be an issue for white strawberry plants, so raise the leaves and water the plant’s base to keep the leaves dry.
What are the Disadvantages of White Strawberries?
Growing them, however, has several disadvantages. They usually yield fewer and smaller strawberries. White strawberry variants simply yield less than the most popular commercial variety available today. That is the most important disadvantage for a gardener seeking to optimize yield from a given garden space.
Furthermore, several critics contend that both the Beach Strawberry and the Pineberry have a subpar flavor profile, with many berries tasting flat or watery. However, if you want to attempt growing your own white strawberry bushes, don’t put too much faith in the naysayers. There are many more anecdotal accounts of tasty harvests than of disappointing ones.
Can cats eat strawberries?
You don’t have to be afraid if your cat is eating strawberries. They might in fact even provide some nutritions and vitamins. But more importantly strawberries won’t cause any harm for your beloved cat.
What about their nutritional value?
White strawberries have various advantages. First and foremost, the Alpine varietals have a wonderful flavor and scent. There are also distinct strawberry taste accents that can be enjoyed with the pineberry. Furthermore, because they are not hybrids, the real species (Fragaria vesca, Fragaria chiloensis) will grow true from seed.
The most essential thing, according to the Japanese, is to combine them with other foods to give health advantages. When combined with broccoli, pink grapefruit, tomato, or carrot, for example, they are supposed to help prevent cancer, reduce stress, and improve skin regeneration. Because of their hesperidin concentration, strawberries are said to help reduce hangovers after drinking, particularly beer. Finally, they include a lot of vitamin C and antioxidants.
What does a white strawberry taste like?
White strawberries are slightly sweeter than their red counterparts. Their taste is more close to that of a pineapple than a typical strawberry. They are also larger and softer than the normal red strawberries. This makes the white strawberry taste extremely well on its own without any additional sweetener like sugar.
White strawberries are something to add to your bucket list if you enjoy trying new fruits. They’re a little on the pricey side, but they’re well worth it.