🍓

Strawberries

Get to know strawberries — berries rich in vitamin C and antioxidants. Nutrition facts, health benefits, and tips for picking fresh strawberries.

What Is a Strawberry?

Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) is a bright red berry with tiny seeds attached to its skin surface. Its taste is a blend of sweetness and refreshing tartness, with a distinctive aroma that hits you the moment it's unwrapped from its packaging. In Indonesia, strawberries are mostly cultivated in cool highland areas such as Lembang, Ciwidey, and South Bandung — making them a signature souvenir fruit that also draws tourists to fruit-picking farms.

Thanks to their pretty appearance and refreshing taste, strawberries aren't just eaten on their own, but also star in various dishes — from juice, jam, and dessert toppings to fruit salad mixes.

Strawberry Nutritional Content

Per 100 grams of fresh strawberries:

NutrientAmount
Calories~32 kcal
Carbohydrates~7.7 g
Fiber~2 g
Vitamin C~59 mg
Folate~24 mcg

Its vitamin C content is actually higher than oranges per 100 grams.

Health Benefits

  • Rich in antioxidants — the red pigment in strawberries (anthocyanin) helps fight free radicals in the body.
  • Supports the immune system — its high vitamin C content plays an important role in keeping the immune system strong.
  • Good for the skin — vitamin C is also needed by the body for natural collagen production.
  • Low in calories yet filling — its water and fiber content makes strawberries a great healthy snack.

Ways to Enjoy Strawberries

  • Eaten fresh — simply wash thoroughly, remove the leaves/stem, and enjoy right away.
  • Smoothie or juice — blended with milk, yogurt, or honey for a refreshing, vitamin-rich drink.
  • Dessert topping — sliced strawberries add beauty and freshness to cake, pancakes, or ice cream.
  • Made into jam or sauce — cooked with a little sugar for a bread spread or sweet sauce.

How to Choose & Store

Choosing:
  • choose ones that are evenly red, glossy, with leaves that are still fresh green
  • the texture should be firm and springy, not soft or watery
  • avoid ones with white/green patches on the tip (a sign they're not fully ripe) or with mold
Storing:
  • don't wash before storing — wash only right before eating so they don't turn soft too quickly
  • store in the refrigerator in an open container lined with paper towel so moisture doesn't get trapped
  • fresh strawberries usually last 3-5 days in the refrigerator

Practical Tips

  1. Wash under running water right before eating — strawberries absorb water easily, so they turn soft quickly if soaked too long.
  2. Freeze extra strawberries — cut them into pieces and store in the freezer, handy for smoothies anytime.
  3. Separate the ones that are starting to soften — eat them right away or turn them into jam so they don't speed up spoilage of the other strawberries.
  4. Remove the stems after washing, not before — this helps prevent water from getting into the inside of the fruit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do strawberries spoil faster than other fruits?
Strawberries have thin skin without a thick protective layer, so moisture and air can get in easily. That's why strawberries shouldn't be washed before storing and are ideally eaten up within a few days of purchase.
Are local Bandung strawberries as healthy as imported ones?
Nutritionally they're similar, since both are the same Fragaria × ananassa variety. The difference is usually in size and sweetness level. Freshly picked local strawberries are often even fresher because their distribution chain is shorter.
Is it okay to eat strawberries every day?
Yes, in reasonable portions of about one small bowl per day. Strawberries are low in calories and rich in nutrients, but they still need to be balanced with a variety of other fruits for more complete nutritional intake.

Want to see this ingredient used in a recipe?

Explore the recipe collection at KulinerBDG for everyday cooking inspiration.

Browse Recipes →
Note: The nutrition and health information on this page is educational and general. Exact amounts can vary by variety, preparation, and portion.