Luchetti's tip is correct, but almost just as importantly, I thought if the strawberry smells like a strawberry, it will taste like one. Strawberries that do not have that sweet strawberry smell don't taste like much either.

By vmarraccini on May 3, 2010 08:00 PM

Considering strawberries come pre-packed in punnets, and hence are not individually sold, I am hard pressed to know how one can select the very best & ripest strawberries.

By Maxmillion on June 8, 2009 11:07 PM

I say this all the time so pardon the repetition, but we love having every variety of tips from every variety of backgrounds. We've had amazing chefs (including James Beard Award-winning Emily Luchetti), writers, and even readers share their tips in this 30 second format. If you think you have a tip to share, or you might like to see the tips done differently, email me your ideas and we'll set...+READ

I say this all the time so pardon the repetition, but we love having every variety of tips from every variety of backgrounds. We've had amazing chefs (including James Beard Award-winning Emily Luchetti), writers, and even readers share their tips in this 30 second format. If you think you have a tip to share, or you might like to see the tips done differently, email me your ideas and we'll set something up!

Meredith-COLLAPSE

By mudaba on May 12, 2009 06:06 PM

As with a lot of chow tips, the value of the "tip" (or whether it's a tip at all) depends on the basic knowledge of the viewer. Most of the chow "tips" I've seen seem to be aimed at totally clueless 20-somethings.

Now, I'm perfectly willing to agree with the premise that totally clueless 20-somethings need all the tips they can get. What I don't agree with is that totally clueless...+READ

As with a lot of chow tips, the value of the "tip" (or whether it's a tip at all) depends on the basic knowledge of the viewer. Most of the chow "tips" I've seen seem to be aimed at totally clueless 20-somethings.

Now, I'm perfectly willing to agree with the premise that totally clueless 20-somethings need all the tips they can get. What I don't agree with is that totally clueless 20-somethings are the core audience/market for Chow.

I had thought that Chow was positioning itself as appealing to a rather more sophisticated audience, at least food-wise, but the boards and the Chow content seem to be aimed at completely different audiences. Maybe if its identity were clearer, Chow would be more successful.

As for strawberries, chochotte is correct: even though they are rarely marketed as such, strawberries are a varietal product, and unless you are an expert, you cannot tell just by looking what variety a strawberry is. As noted, some of the most common commercial strawberry varietals have been bred with looks, durability for shipping and shelf-life in mind, with flavor being a very low priority.

Contrary to what Ms. Luchetti said, a perfectly red strawberry might not be as good as a slightly more orangey-red strawberry that's been bred for flavor, not color. Strawberries with a white core that shows around the stem (as opposed to unripe shoulders) are simply a different variety of strawberries than those that are red throughout.

I rarely buy strawberries anywhere but farmers markets where I can sample them before I buy them. And I usually ask what variety they're selling -- sometimes they might have more than one (I know one that sometimes has six or more), and if you're not careful, the basket of strawberries you eventually buy might not be the same as the strawberry you sampled.

Finally, if I have to buy strawberries I can't sample, I find smell to be a much better indicator of flavor than color: if they don't smell strongly of strawberries, they won't taste strongly either.-COLLAPSE

By Ruth Lafler on May 12, 2009 03:13 PM

I'm far from an expert on strawberries but I do know, like anyone who ever bought them that they do not ripen like a bannana. my point was there is absolutely nothing informative in in this "tip".

By Welcoboy on May 11, 2009 03:38 PM

You may have known that green strawberries aren't the best but did you realize that strawberries never ripen??? I had been under the misconception that if you bought greenish-twinged strawberries they might ripen to where you want them in a few days. Not the case. So if you think the info is so basic guess again*,

Meredith (video producer of CHOW)

*Unless you happen to know a lot more about...+READ

You may have known that green strawberries aren't the best but did you realize that strawberries never ripen??? I had been under the misconception that if you bought greenish-twinged strawberries they might ripen to where you want them in a few days. Not the case. So if you think the info is so basic guess again*,

Meredith (video producer of CHOW)

*Unless you happen to know a lot more about strawberries than the average Joe.-COLLAPSE

By mudaba on May 11, 2009 09:49 AM

This is...trite.

She doesn't mention anything about the best-tasting varieties to look out for, which is essential to know.

Lots of strawberry varieties are bred especially to look glossy, red and delicious - but that's all they are. They sell well, because they look great, but they don't taste of anything. By knowing commonly found, tasty varieties, you can avoid getting mislead by...+READ

This is...trite.

She doesn't mention anything about the best-tasting varieties to look out for, which is essential to know.

Lots of strawberry varieties are bred especially to look glossy, red and delicious - but that's all they are. They sell well, because they look great, but they don't taste of anything. By knowing commonly found, tasty varieties, you can avoid getting mislead by appearances.

We just got the first of the Scottish strawberries of the new season. They're very small and far from uniformly red but they are SO sweet and tasty, it's amazing.-COLLAPSE

By chochotte on May 8, 2009 04:20 AM