Sixty percent of France's strawberry production happens in the Dordogne valley, in the southwest corner of France. This area has ideal growing conditions for fruit like strawberries, raspberries & apples! The city of Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne loves this fruit so much that they hold an annual strawberry festival on the second Sunday of May, where each street is packed with the fruits from their recent harvest!
This town holds several Guinness World Records for its strawberry desserts! The first was for the world's largest strawberry tart back in 1990, (measuring eight meters in diameter and weighing 700kg!) Their second, in 2017 for the world’s longest fraisier pâtissier (French strawberry cake).
A strawberry is not just a strawberry - heavens no! There are a few that we will be seeing over the next months, each with its personality and style. The important thing to note is that this is another perfect opportunity for you to do your own vertical tasting and see which one ends up your favorite - hard work, we know!
Below is a little run-down for some of the most popular (there are more to enjoy) for you what and when to expect them at the market* (subject to the climate of course!)
La Gariguette: The first to appear on the market and we usually get to enjoy them from March until mid-June. They are produced throughout France and are by far the most sold! You'll notice them first on the market, and you can usually distinguish them with their thinner, longer oval shape!
La Charlotte: Soon after the Gariguette, we start to see our round, bulbous shape! Produced mostly in the South West, the Loire and the Rhone-Alpes. Charlotte, we get to enjoy usually May through even mid-November.
La Ciflorette: Very similar to the Gariguette in shape, long and oval. Grown primarily in the south of France and you should find them at the markets from March through July.
La Mara des Bois: Another of the rounder varieties grown throughout France and usually available mid-May to October. Said to have a taste similar to the Fraise du Bois (without the prices!)
Fraise du Bois: The Rolls Royce of the strawberry world - and priced accordingly. These are tiny but mighty, packed with flavor. The best amongst them will find their way to the high-end pastry boutiques and be used for an equally gorgeous and delicious topping. They tend to appear in April, but whenever they do, if you can get your hands on them, you won't regret it!
Ideally, you should eat your strawberries soon after purchasing them, but if you wish to keep them for a few days, it would be best to keep them in a cool room or slightly warm fridge, as they can lose their flavor quickly if it is too cold!
*Don't forget the market signage will always tell you where they are from! You'll get to discover even rare varieties like below!
The only question that remains is, what are you going to do with them?
