The strawberry, a member of the rose family, grew wild in Europe and North and South America. It first was cultivated in the 13 th century in Europe as small but very sweet berry. After several centuries of cross-breeding a native Virginia wild strawberry and a Chilean variety, we have the large and hardy variety we know today. It is thought that farmers sold the berries threaded on a piece of straw at vegetable and fruit markets. The seeds of the strawberry on are the outside.
Phytochemicals give color, flavor and smell to plants.
Strawberries are known to have over 40 phytochemicals in varying amounts. While all fruits and vegetables contain phytochemicals, they will not have the same kind or amount. The research on phytochemicals and their importance in health is still emerging. This increases the importance of eating a variety of fruits and vegetables every day to take advantage of the known nutritional components plus the benefits of phytochemicals.