Red Diamond™ Strawberries
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Description/Taste
Red Diamond™ strawberries are a medium to large varietal, averaging 4 to 5 centimeters in diameter, and have an oval to conical shape tapering to a blunt, curved tip. The strawberries are topped with a green leafy cap, and the fruit's surface is delicate, thin, smooth, and bright red, covered in tiny yellow-green seeds. Underneath the skin, the red flesh is almost entirely solid, aqueous, tender, and fleshy with a crisp, succulent consistency. Red Diamond™ strawberries release a strong, sugary, and fruity aroma and have a mild and balanced sweet-tart taste with a lingering tangy sweetness.
Seasons/Availability
Red Diamond™ strawberries are available in the summer.
Current Facts
Red Diamond™ strawberries, botanically classified as Fragaria ananassa, are a specialty line of British strawberries belonging to the Rosaceae family. The large strawberries are exclusively grown in the United Kingdom and are commercially sold through Marks & Spencer, a British retailer, as a summertime offering. Red Diamond™ strawberries are favored among consumers for their vibrant red coloring, large size, tender, juicy flesh, and sweet flavor. The strawberries are grown on several farms throughout the United Kingdom and ripen slowly, generating a concentrated, natural sweetness. During cultivation, only the largest, intensely pigmented strawberries are selected to be packaged as Red Diamond™ strawberries. This examination level is used to maintain a consistent standard of quality. Red Diamond™ strawberries are a versatile, seasonal fruit typically consumed fresh or incorporated into a wide array of cooked preparations.
Nutritional Value
Red Diamond™ strawberries are a source of vitamin C to strengthen the immune system while boosting collagen production, potassium to balance fluid levels within the body, and folate to produce healthy red blood cells. The strawberries also provide phosphorus to build strong bones and teeth, iron to develop the protein hemoglobin for oxygen transport through the bloodstream, copper to maintain healthy nerve cell operations, and contains other nutrients, including vitamin K, magnesium, vitamin E, fiber, and calcium. The strawberry's red flesh and skin reveal the presence of polyphenols, specifically anthocyanins, natural compounds that have antioxidant-like properties to reduce inflammation and protect the cells against the damage caused by free radicals.
Applications
Red Diamond™ strawberries have a sweet, juicy nature well suited for fresh and cooked preparations. The strawberries are popularly consumed straight out of hand and are sometimes served with cream or condensed milk as a sweet snack. Red Diamond™ strawberries are also sliced and tossed into salads, stirred into overnight oats, served on appetizer platters with soft cheeses, or layered on ricotta toast, often drizzled with honey. The fruit's naturally large size allows them to be dipped in chocolate and served as dessert. In addition to slicing, the strawberries can be blended and frozen into ice cream, sorbets, and popsicles, simmered into jams and jellies or cooked into syrups for beverages and desserts. Red Diamond™ strawberries are also incorporated into baked goods such as shortcakes, cheesecakes, scones, and tarts, or they are combined into chewy bars, crisps, and puddings. Beyond culinary recipes, Red Diamond™ strawberries provide added fruity nuances to cocktails, lemonades, and other beverages when muddled, pureed, or sliced thinly. A favored liquor in England to combine with strawberries is Pimm's, a type of gin. Try making a drink known as Pimm's Cup, a cocktail comprised of Pimm's, sliced fruit, and lemonade. Red Diamond™ strawberries pair well with kiwi, pineapple, oranges, mango, bananas, blueberries, and watermelon, vanilla, chocolate, caramel, herbs including mint, basil, and rosemary, and nuts such as pecans, hazelnuts, almonds, pistachios. Whole, unwashed Red Diamond™ strawberries will keep around one week in the refrigerator, depending on the degree of ripeness.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
In 2022, the Queen of England celebrated her 70th year of service through a four-day holiday known as the Platinum Jubilee Celebration. Royal Jubilees are held throughout the reign of a monarch to recognize their service as a leader, and Queen Elizabeth II is the longest reigning British monarch in history, having acceded to the throne on February 6, 1952. Throughout her reign, the Queen has also celebrated silver, diamond, and gold jubilees, with each celebration combining a blend of formal events with lively parties. During the 2022 Platinum Jubilee Celebration, events such as military parades, a derby, concerts, and banquet dinners are held with appearances by the Queen. Many families across England also host celebratory meals and parties to celebrate the holiday weekend, and strawberries are a popular seasonal ingredient. Marks & Spencer created a limited-edition one-kilogram punnet of Red Diamond™ strawberries to celebrate the Queen's Platinum Jubilee. The fresh strawberries are a favored afternoon summertime snack, and they are also incorporated into various desserts and treats served during high tea and afternoon tea. One of the most popular uses of strawberries is cooking the fruits into a strawberry jam. The jam is traditionally served with clotted cream and paired with scones and tea to create a snack known as the Jubilee cream tea.
Geography/History
Red Diamond™ strawberries are exclusively grown by farmers in the United Kingdom for sale through the retailer Marks & Spencer. Each Red Diamond™ strawberry package lists the grower's name and where they are located to highlight that the strawberries are locally produced. Red Diamond™ strawberries have been grown by George Leeds in Herefordshire, Thomas Ruby in Staffordshire, and Mockbeggar Farm in Kent. Lochy Porter, owner and third-generation farmer of East Seaton Farm in Arbroath, Scotland, is also a producer of Red Diamond™ strawberries and was highlighted on Marks & Spencer's "Market Update Campaign." This campaign highlights the growers who go to great lengths to produce quality produce and gives Marks & Spencer's consumers insight into the cultivation of their favorite items. Red Diamond™ strawberries were released in the early 21st century and are only available through Marks & Spencer retail locations.
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Red Diamond™ Strawberries. One
is easiest, three is harder.| Miss Pond |
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M&S Red Diamond Strawberry Overnight Oats Recipe |
