Maresme’s ‘green’ strawberries

The climatic conditions and the local terrain are perhaps the secret to the success and quality of strawberries produced in the Maresme area. As early as 1960 there was a huge explosion in the production of strawberries in the region, until production waned somewhat in the early 1980s in the face of competition from other strawberry growing areas.

Be that as it may, Maresme’s organically grown strawberries are characterised by an intense red colour, sweet flavour with a touch of acidity, their fleshy texture and a pleasant aroma, especially just after picking. The top of the range in terms of quality is the ’Pàjaro’ variety. The hilliest part of the region enjoys the perfect microclimatic conditions, along with the right soil, for growing the popular fruit, and the angle of incidence of sunlight in winter is greater along the hillside, thus providing more sunlight for longer hours in the winter months, which combined with the drainage of the gravel, allows for better root development in the plant.

Strawberries help improve eye care, proper brain function, relief from high blood pressure, arthritis, gout, and various cardiovascular diseases. The excellent polyphenolic and antioxidant content of strawberries makes them good for improving the immune system, preventing various types of cancers and for reducing the signs of premature aging.