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WHY IS SCOTLAND THE HOME OF THE STRAWBERRY?

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There are few fruits as synonymous with summer as strawberries. With their
bright red color and juicy, sweet taste, they’re the ultimate symbol of warm
weather and outdoor activities.

If you live in Scotland, you probably know that strawberry picking is a popular
pastime for many people. Whether you go with friends or family members on a
special trip to a local farm, or simply head out into your garden in search of
these beautiful little berries, there’s no denying that they are one of the most
accessible and common summer fruits we have here in our country.

However, if you’ve ever wondered how this fruit came to be so commonplace in
Scotland, read on to find out more about their history here…


WHAT IS A STRAWBERRY?

First of all, let’s look at the basics. What exactly is a strawberry? The
history of the strawberry dates back thousands of years, with fossils and
illustrations of the plant having been found in archaeological digs in both
Europe and Asia. The strawberries we know and love today are the cultivated
descendants of these ancient plants.

There are two main species of strawberry: Fragaria ananassa and Fragaria vesca.
The first of these species is commonly known as the ‘cultivar strawberry’, and
it is this variety that is most commonly grown commercially in Scotland. The
second is known as the ‘wild strawberry’, and the two species are easily
distinguished. The cultivated varieties are larger, sweeter, and redder than
those found in the wild, and they also have a longer shelf life.


SCOTLAND’S HISTORY WITH STRAWBERRIES

Strawberries were first introduced to Britain in the 16th century and it was
thought that they were brought to the country by Spanish sailors. It is said
that they were originally grown in the gardens of monasteries, where they were
used as a source of income and to feed the monks.

The strawberry's reputation was not always positive, however. In the 18th
century, cooks would advise against eating them on an empty stomach because they
would settle in the stomach and produce gas. However, in the 19th century,
people believed that if a woman slept with a bowl of strawberries near to her,
she would dream of her future husband.

In the 17th century, there is record of the cultivation of strawberries in
Scotland at Inglistown near Edinburgh; and some were cultivated at Duddingston.
In 1776, a bed of 1,000 plants were planted at Mount Whigham; and in 1795, the
first commercial beds were set out at New Abbey, Wigtownshire.


WHY ARE STRAWBERRIES SO IMPORTANT TO SCOTLAND?

When you consider just how many people grow and consume strawberries in
Scotland, you might wonder why they are so important to us. In fact,
strawberries’ significance to the country really lies in their economic value.
They are a massive part of the Scottish food and drink industry, providing work
for farmers and packing plants, and generating revenue through exports.

Besides being a source of employment and income, the importance of strawberries
can also be seen in their history. As mentioned above, the cultivation of
strawberries has been going on in Scotland for hundreds of years, so we have a
longer history with them than many other countries. They’re also popular for
their versatility. There are so many different ways to prepare and serve
strawberries – from eating them fresh, to making preserves and jams, to using
them as an ingredient in desserts – that just about everyone can find a way to
enjoy them.


STRAWBERRIES AND SCOTTISH CULTURE

Whilst strawberries are popular all across the country, there are certain
regions that grow them in much higher numbers. The most popular places include
Angus, Argyll, Ayrshire, Dumfriesshire, Fife, and Midlothian.

Some people like to eat strawberries with cream, while others eat them with
sugar. As well as enjoying them fresh, many people also choose to make jam or
preserve them to enjoy at other times of the year. Strawberries are also used to
make desserts, such as trifles and parfaits, but they can also be baked into
cakes. Indeed, the most famous example of this is the classic Scottish
shortbread, which is often made with a strawberry flavour.


CONCLUSION

Strawberries are one of the most popularly consumed fruits in Scotland, thanks
largely to the warm climate in which we live. There are two main types – the
wild and the cultivated. The cultivated variety is larger, sweeter, and redder
than the wild variety, and also has a longer shelf life. Most strawberries are
grown in greenhouses, as it is too cold to grow them outdoors during the winter
months. They are a source of employment and income, and there are so many
different ways to prepare and serve them. In addition to being eaten fresh, they
are also popular in desserts, such as shortbread. There are so many ways to
enjoy strawberries, and with such a long history behind them, it’s no wonder
that they’re one of the most iconic summer fruits that Scotland has to offer!




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