Mara de Bois Strawberries from France

TASTING NOTES FROM THE CURATOR

With an intense fragrant aroma similar to wild strawberries, Mara de Bois strawberries are in a league of their own. They come in an attractive brick red color with a high gloss. Where Gariguette strawberries are more elongated in shape, Mara de Bois strawberries are small to medium in size, and plump.

Its texture is somewhere between the softness of a wild strawberry and the firmness of a conventional strawberry. It has a sweet, complex flavor, and so incredibly tasty.

PREPARATION AND PAIRINGS

Mara de Bois strawberries are best eaten on their own, or in a bowl with fresh cream. they’re also incredible to use in tarts and shortcakes, or cooked down to make sauces and syrups.

A SUCCESSFUL COMBINATION

The Mara de Bois strawberry, despite its aroma and taste, is not a wild strawberry. It was actually developed by famous French fruit breeder, Jacques Marionnet, in 1991. It’s a wildly successful cross between four European garden strawberries: Gento, Red Gauntlet, Ostara, and Korona. They are now grown commercially in France, as well as being a very popular strawberry for home gardens.

Storage Instructions

These strawberries are air-flown from France. They are best enjoyed once they are delivered to you.

If you’d like your strawberries to last for up to 2 weeks more, you can consider using a vinegar bath. Fill a measuring cup with 1/4 cup vinegar and 1 1/2 cup of water. You may need more vinegar/water depending on how many strawberries you are planning to soak. Place the water/vinegar solution into a bowl or glass container. Let the berries soak for about five minutes. Place berries in a colander and rinse with water. Transfer the strawberries to a paper towel and let them dry. Line the container you plan to use for storage with a paper towel and place the strawberries inside. Make sure they are all dry. Cover the lid and label it with the date. Your strawberries should last up to two weeks.