Mara Des Bois Strawberries
Estimated Inventory, 1 lb Clamshell : 0
This item was last sold on : 04/18/25
Description/Taste
Mara Des Bois strawberries are smaller than common commercial cultivars and are round to slightly conical in shape, with sloping shoulders tapering to a blunt, curved tip. The fruits average 11 to 16 grams in weight and have a plump appearance topped with green-leafed caps, also referred to as calyces. These caps should be fresh when purchased in markets, indicating when the strawberries were picked. The fruit’s surface is glossy, lightly firm, and delicate, being easily bruised with excessive handling. The exterior is also embedded with red to golden brown specks resembling seeds known as achenes. Underneath the surface, the red flesh is aqueous, soft, and succulent. Ripe Mara Des Bois strawberries sometimes have a decadent, melting texture and showcase the firmness of a conventional strawberry mixed with the tenderness of a wild strawberry. One of the defining characteristics of Mara Des Bois strawberries is their intense aroma. Their sweet, fruity, and musky scent can fill a room and is said to smell similarly to the wild strawberries found in the forests of France. Mara Des Bois strawberries are edible raw once ripe and have a high sugar content combined with moderate acidity, creating a sugary, sweet, fruity, and floral taste with grape and passionfruit nuances.
Seasons/Availability
Mara Des Bois strawberries are available from early summer through late fall. Depending on the growing region, the variety is typically harvested from mid-May through October in the Northern Hemisphere.
Current Facts
Mara Des Bois strawberries, botanically classified as Fragaria x ananassa, are a hybrid variety belonging to the Rosaceae family. The cultivar was developed through a French breeding program in the late 20th century and has become one of the most popular varieties in France. Mara Des Bois strawberries develop on low-growing, spreading plants reaching 30 to 60 centimeters in width and are an everbearing type, meaning they produce fruits throughout the season. The variety was chosen as a specialty cultivar in France for its aroma and flavor, which are similar to wild strawberries. Mara Des Bois strawberries are hand-harvested to protect their delicate nature. The variety is slightly hardier than the notoriously soft wild strawberries but is still more sensitive than other commercial types. This delicate nature has prevented Mara Des Bois from being commercially produced on an industrial scale, but smaller growers and home gardeners cherish the variety for its superior taste. Since their introduction, Mara Des Bois strawberries have expanded in cultivation outside of France to select growers in the United States. The variety is marketed toward chefs for sweet and savory culinary preparations and is also positioned as a home garden cultivar for strawberry enthusiasts.
Nutritional Value
Mara Des Bois strawberries have not been extensively studied for their nutritional properties. Strawberries, in general, are a source of vitamin C to strengthen the immune system and fiber to help regulate the digestive tract. Strawberries also provide anthocyanins, which have antioxidant-like properties to reduce inflammation and protect overall bodily health. Minerals in strawberries include potassium, calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium. Potassium assists the body in balancing fluid levels and electrolytes, calcium and phosphorus support bone and teeth development, while iron produces the protein hemoglobin for oxygen transport through the bloodstream. Mara Des Bois strawberries are said to contain methyl anthranilate, a natural compound that gives the fruit its signature fruity, sweet, and musky aroma.
Applications
Mara De Bois strawberries have a sweet, fruity, and floral taste suited for fresh and cooked preparations. The variety is famous for its aroma and is primarily eaten out of hand as a snack or healthy dessert. In France, Mara De Bois strawberries are often served with fresh cream. They are also displayed on appetizer plates with cheeses, nuts, and other fruits. Try adding Mara De Bois strawberries as a fresh topping over breakfast dishes like pancakes, crepes, or parfaits. They can also be blended and frozen into sorbets and ice cream. In addition to raw preparations, Mara De Bois strawberries are simmered into jams, compotes, and syrups or used as filling for macaroons and croissants. They are also popularly baked into desserts like tarts, charlotte cakes, galettes, crisps, and bars. In Southern California, Mara De Bois strawberries are sometimes incorporated into sauces and glazes for foie gras and duck breast. They are also macerated and stirred into cocktails, lemonades, or smoothies. Mara De Bois strawberries pair well with herbs like dill, basil, mint, and tarragon, other fruits including blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries, rhubarb, and balsamic vinegar. Whole, unwashed Mara Des Bois strawberries have a short shelf life and should be immediately consumed for the best quality and flavor. The variety only keeps fresh for around 3 to 5 days, but can be frozen for later use in purees and sauces.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
The name Mara Des Bois roughly translates from French to mean the “strawberries of the woods.” The variety acquired its moniker for its nostalgic flavor of wild strawberries, but with hardier, more durable growth characteristics for improved cultivation. In France, Mara Des Bois strawberries are an anticipated summer fruit and are a choice variety for traditional dessert recipes like fraisier cakes. The origins of fraisier cakes are unknown, but some sources hypothesize that the recipe may date back to desserts prepared for French nobility. An early version of fraisier cake was mentioned in chef Auguste Escoffier’s cookbook “Le Guide Culinaire,” and the cake was named after its star ingredient, as fraise translates to “strawberry.” Fraisier cakes in the modern day are inspired by French chef Gaston Lenôtre’s version in 1966. Lenôtre worked as a pastry chef in Normandy and Paris, naming his version of fraisier as bagatelle after the famous French gardens, Bois de Boulogne. The chef’s recipe involved using cross sections of strawberries along the edge of the cake, filled with mousseline cream and sponge soaked in kirsch. Lenôtre’s recipe was met with enthusiasm among the French public and was seen as a refined dessert popularly served at special events and occasions. Fraisier cakes have remained a dessert in France, and variations of the cakes are also made worldwide during strawberry season to celebrate the flavorful fruits.
Geography/History
Mara Des Bois strawberries are native to France and were developed by fruit breeder Jacques Marionnet in the commune of Soings-en-Sologne. The variety was created in 1991 through a breeding program and was developed from a planned hybridized cross, using older European varieties, including Gento, Ostara, Red Gauntlet, and Korona. After its development, Mara Des Bois strawberries were filed for a plant patent in 1991 and were granted a patent in 1993. This patent remained active under United States Plant Patent #8,517 until its expiration in 2011. Mara Des Bois strawberries were chosen for release as they are an everbearing variety with good crops of fragrant, flavorful fruits. Today, Mara Des Bois strawberries are grown commercially in France and on a small scale in the United States, mainly in Southern California. The short shelf life of Mara Des Bois limits their distribution range to specialty stores and farmers' markets in nearby growing regions. Mara Des Bois strawberries are also planted in home gardens throughout North America and Europe as a delicacy.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
| Park Hyatt Aviara | Carlsbad CA | 760-448-1234 |
| Rancho Valencia | Del Mar CA | 858-756-1123 |
| Jeune Et Jolie | Carlsbad CA | 858-231-0862 |
| The Country Club Of Rancho Bernardo | San Diego CA | 858-487-1134 |
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