Strawberry Season is Open
Every Novembertime Baguio natives and visitors alike eagerly wait to pick fresh strawberries from the Strawberry Farm in nearby La Trinidad, Benguet (about 10 minutes away). You will see baskets full of strawberries being sold all over Baguio, at the Baguio City Market, and even in “pasalubong” (souvenir) counters near the bus terminals.
The price of Baguio strawberries is dictated by the laws of supply and demand. From November till May, the supply is high so the price is low. Demand rises on weekends and holidays during these months. A kilo of strawberries usually sells from php40 ($.80) to php100 ($2.00).
It is best to wash them, remove the stems and leaves and eat them fresh with sugar.
Here are some other fast and easy ways to enjoy Baguio strawberries:
1. Strawberries and Cream - Slice them in half (or keep them whole if you like), put them in a mixture of whipped all purpose cream and confectioner’s sugar (regular white sugar will do, too, but will be a little grainy) to taste, Put them in a bowl, chill for an hour before serving.
2. Strawberries and Condensed Milk - Dip whole strawberries in condensed milk and pop them in your mouth.
3. Chocolate Fondue with Strawberry - Melt Swiss chocolate (the darker the better, but milk chocolate is ok, too) in a little “never been used” aroma jar, add some milk, dip whole strawberries.
4. Homemade Strawberry Ice Cream - blend whole strawberries with all purpose cream or whole milk, add sugar, freeze and serve. My mom used to make ice cream only when the strawberries were gettting “over-ripe.”
“joel said…
Strawberries and evaporated milk. In a bowl berries them into 1/4 or 1/8 crushing a few to let the juice out add the evap. milk , sugar or sugar-free(diabetics)to taste, chilled clean water and or (clean)ice. Mix and serve. HTH.Keep blogging.
12/04/2006″
Tips for bringing home fresh strawberries from Baguio:
1. Do not buy those already pre-packed in baskets or styrofoam containers as they may be cheaper because you’re really buying a half kilo of tiny strawberries with only a layer of large ones on top.
2. As strawberries ripen fast, buy them before you leave for home and ask to pick them from the basket yourself. Tell the market lady you want a “selection.” She’ll probably charge you php10-20 higher per kilo but it’s worth it.
3. Choose the “under-ripe” ones: those that are less red and more green and white. By the time you get home, the strawberries will be just right.
4. Do not put heavy objects on top of your basket or box of fresh strawberries.
That’s it for now. Enjoy your Baguio strawberries.
You may want to share the way you enjoy strawberries with other readers by posting your comment below.
