Mill (fruit)

Description

The fruit (False-fruit) is formed by the whole of the fleshy receptacle of the flower. It has a red or yellow color blanchâtre according to the varieties, and an oblong ovoid form more or less round.

With the botanical direction of the term, “truths” fruits are in fact the Akène S, these small dry grains (commonly called wrongly pip S whereas this last term should indicate only their tiny central Graine) regularly laid out on the strawberry, of green color to brown, and containing each one either an ovule (not fertilized) or a seed (which carries a Germe then when the strawberry becomes ripe).

The fleshy body of the strawberry being formed by the floral Réceptacle (enduvie) is what one consumes with or without akenes (the seeding of the strawberries consists in removing these dry fruits of the remainder of the pulpy flesh for the preparation of cold). In fact the Akène S produce a hormone making it possible the false-fruit to grow bigger.

History

The strawberry is a very widespread fruit in the world.

In Europe and Asia, the fruits of the species Fragaria vesca , the Wild strawberries, are of small size. Known since the Antiquity, the Romans used them in their cosmetic products because of their pleasant odor: the “Fragrance”. But the strawberries also push along the American coasts giving on the Pacific Ocean, of Alaska to the Chile.

The current strawberry, such as we know it is the result of wild crossings of strawberries of the Americas. In 1714, the officer of the Marine engineering Amédée-François Frézier returns from a mission of espionage of the Spanish port S to the Chile and the Peru for the Sun king. Botanist at his hours, it located strawberry plants with broad fruits which one cultivates in Chile, known as Blanches of Chile ( Fragaris chiloensis ). Frézier succeeds in bringing back of them some seedlings which he will entrust to Antoine de Jussieu for the royal Jardin.

Some seedlings are sent in Brittany to the botanical garden of Brest and find in this oceanic climate, near to that of their Biotope of origin, a medium favorable to their culture. The seedlings the White ones of Chile will be crossed with seedlings of strawberry plant of Virginia ( Fragaria virginiana ). It is species resulting from this crossing ( Fragaria ananassae ), that come the main part of the varieties from strawberries with large “fruits” which one cultivates from now on.

In 1740, the town of Plougastel (bordering on Brest), already producing of Wild strawberry, becomes the first place of production of this new species known as “mills of Plougastel. ” The culture of the strawberry becomes the speciality of the commune, which will produce nearly the quarter of the French production of strawberries at the beginning of the 20th century. Plougastel lodges since 1997, the “ Museum of the Strawberry and the Inheritance. ”

Another variety slightly smaller will be developed in the South of France starting from crossing with Mediterranean dwarf strawberry plants, less demanding out of water, the “guariguette. ” The latter, whose fruit is of more lengthened form (and more coloured with maturity), however has the defect of more than one less good conservation. But its savor, nearer to the wild strawberry, and known of the Provençaux, is often regarded as more " authentique" that of the common strawberry. Out of the south of France, this variety of strawberry poses problem, because of transport it arrives at the displays either very expensive, or damaged, or finally it is collected before its full maturity to facilitate transport of it, which does not leave time to the fruit to develop on foot its specific savors.

Towards 1940, the California becomes first world producer of strawberries. Some estimate that the productivity was required with the detriment of savor.

In Belgium, the area of Wépion makes similar great strides as of half of the 20th century. The activity will develop especially in the inter-war period and will reach its apogee in the years 1950-1960. Their reputation is such as the strawberries of Wépion are marketed with the Markets of Paris and then on the market of Rungis which will succeed to them. With the beginning of the year 1970, the activity declines and it is not that during the 1990 qu years' it gains in renewal. The sector professionnalise and shouted of Wépion is become the platform of marketing of a gathered fruit with maturity, sold via short circuits. Wépion also lodges a Museum of the Strawberry of Wépion.

Varieties

Among the many existing varieties (more than 600), one can quote:

Use

Production

Season

According to the variety, the season of maturation of the strawberries extends from May to September. By artificial farming techniques type out-ground, it is possible to produce strawberries apart from this period.

Food

Whole, nature, with cream or sugar
Tart with the strawberries
Strawberry plant
Of pieces in Yoghourt S.

The majority of the ice creams and yoghourts use the " however; natural Flavor of fraise" , which is in fact an artificial substance.

For health

The strawberry abounds in Vitamine C (antioxydant), of Vitamine has (in the form of precursor, the β-carotene, but not of Rétinol which must be synthesized) to stimulate immunizing defenses, of Vitamine B9 (folic acid), important for the expectant mothers.

It is rich in Oligo-élément S, in the form of salts of potassium for the nervous system and against the excessive fixing of the sodium, of calcium for the bones, and of the magnesium against the stress.

It also contains furanéol (aromatic alcohol which gives him its perfume).

The food allergies to the strawberries are frequent. In the child, one thus disadvises the introduction of this fruit into the food before the six months age.

Others

Conservatory and Museum of the strawberry to the castle of the Mill to Lassay-on-Croisne in the Sologne.

See too

Strawberry plant
Wépion

External bonds

strawberries of Wépion
Museum of the Strawberry of Wépion
Museum of the Strawberry of Plougastel
Formation of a strawberry
Interprofessional Association of the Strawberry of the Conservatory Lot-et-Garonne
of the Strawberry to the Castle of the Mill in Loir-et-Cher
Jam of strawberries

Category: red fruit

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