Of this nation's 3,150 counties, no one has more strawberry acreage than Hillsborough. Hillsborough County has produced between 13-21 percent of the Nation's strawberries every year in the past decade. There are several strawberry varieties grown in Florida but in recent years Sweet Charlie has become by far the most popular and available berry. This is a large, plump berry that is sweet all through its picking season. Depending on weather conditions growers may even get two crops of Sweet Charlie's planted a year.
Strawberries are naturally fat, sodium, and cholesterol-free.
They are high in vitamin C and folate which helps the body metabolize protein. Recently cancer researchers sang the praises of strawberries for their large quantities of allagic acid, which they claim reduces the risk of cancer. Strawberries are a good source of potassium, too. When picking, be sure the cap remains on the strawberry by pinching the stem of the berry between the thumb and forefinger. This procedure will prevent damage to both the fruit and the strawberry plant.