A spy, a king’s garden and a pineapple
The big garden strawberry is only about 300 years old.
How this site works. Every fact is in our own words and linked to its source, beside it. Growing advice comes mainly from the RHS, the UK’s gardening charity.
Small and wild
In Europe and Russia, the small woodland strawberry and the musk strawberry had been grown for centuries. Univ. of Minnesota
The Chilean strawberry had been grown by native peoples in Chile for almost 1,000 years. Univ. of Minnesota
The Chilean strawberry probably first grew on the foggy west coast of North America; birds may have carried its seed to South America. Univ. of Minnesota
The spy
In 1712 King Louis XIV sent Amédée-François Frézier, an officer in French Army intelligence, to Chile and Peru, where he studied Spanish forts while posing as a merchant. Science History Institute
Frézier wrote that the Chilean berries were “as big as a walnut, and sometimes as a hen’s egg”. Science History Institute
The Chilean berries were paler and less sweet than European ones. Science History Institute
He brought five plants back to France; one was planted in the royal gardens at Versailles. Science History Institute
A happy accident
The Chilean strawberry crossed with a strawberry from Virginia. All modern commercial strawberries come from that hybrid. Science History Institute
Crossing with the Chilean strawberry made strawberries larger. Science History Institute
Britannica says the big garden strawberry, Fragaria × ananassa, began in Europe in the 18th century. Britannica
Why ‘ananassa’?
The French botanist Antoine Nicolas Duchesne named the hybrid Fragaria × ananassa, because it tasted a little of pineapple (Ananas). Univ. of Minnesota
At the time it was called the pine or pineapple strawberry. Univ. of Minnesota
Across the world
New varieties were being bred in England and other countries by 1800. Univ. of Minnesota
Most countries bred their own varieties during the 19th century, suited to their own climate. Britannica
Before the big berries
Thomas Jefferson said it took 100 strawberries from his garden in Virginia to fill half a pint. Science History Institute
In London in 1680, a strawberry dish for seven wedding guests is said to have cost six shillings, about six times a labourer’s daily wage. Science History Institute
Where the name comes from
The name probably comes from the way the plants spread. In Old English the berry was streawberige, and ‘strew’ and ‘straw’ could both mean to spread or scatter. Univ. of Minnesota
Many people think strawberries are named after the straw they are bedded on; others think of the straw colour of the seeds. Univ. of Minnesota
The French word for strawberry is fraise, which sounds like Frézier’s surname. Univ. of Minnesota
Strawberries and cream
Strawberries and cream have been served at Wimbledon since the early days of the tournament, when the fruit was only in season around then. LTA
Wimbledon sells over 2.5 million strawberries every year, according to the LTA. LTA
In America, strawberry shortcake, made with sponge cake and whipped cream, is a traditional dessert. Britannica
Strawberries today
Commercial strawberries are picked by hand straight into small baskets. Britannica
Because strawberries spoil so fast, farms are usually close to where the fruit is eaten or processed. Britannica
Americans eat around 2.4 billion pounds of strawberries a year, more than six pounds each. Science History Institute
A 2019 study in California found that close to 44% of strawberries never leave the farm. Science History Institute
Ethylene gas, which speeds up the ripening of bananas, just makes strawberries age and soften faster. Science History Institute
A strawberry-picking machine in Florida, the size of a school bus, uses 16 robots and can pick a plant clean of ripe fruit in about eight seconds. Science History Institute
Timeline
- Before 1712 In Europe and Russia, the small woodland strawberry and the musk strawberry had been grown for centuries. Univ. of Minnesota
- 1712 In 1712 King Louis XIV sent Amédée-François Frézier, an officer in French Army intelligence, to Chile and Peru, where he studied Spanish forts while posing as a merchant. Science History Institute
- 1712–14 He brought five plants back to France; one was planted in the royal gardens at Versailles. Science History Institute
- 18th century Britannica says the big garden strawberry, Fragaria × ananassa, began in Europe in the 18th century. Britannica
- By 1800 New varieties were being bred in England and other countries by 1800. Univ. of Minnesota
- 19th century Most countries bred their own varieties during the 19th century, suited to their own climate. Britannica
- Today Wimbledon sells over 2.5 million strawberries every year, according to the LTA. LTA
Our view: the best part of the story is that nobody planned it. A spy’s souvenir and a plant from Virginia happened to share a flower bed.
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