 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (June 2016) |
| Pineberry | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Species | F. × ananassa |
| Cultivar | Pineberry |
Pineberry is an albino strawberry cultivar with a pineapple-like flavor, white coloring, and red seeds.
Description edit
Pineberry is based on the original strawberry hybrids that arose in cultivation in Europe, with a recent selective breeding to improve the plants. It is a hybrid of Fragaria chiloensis, originating in South America, and Fragaria virginiana, originating in North America, the same parentage as the garden strawberry Fragaria × ananassa. The first commercial cultivation occurred in 2010 in the Netherlands and Belgium.[1][2]
A pineberry is smaller than a common strawberry, measuring between 15 to 23 mm (0.6 to 0.9 in).[3] When ripe, it is almost entirely white, but with red "seeds" (achenes). The plant is disease resistant, but is not very profitable, due to the size of the pineberry which are small. (large pineberries are less than an inch [2.54 cm] big). Pineberries are produced on a very small-scale farming in Europe and Belize in the spring and summer season. [1] The pineberry is a very original and unique fruit. Pineberry plants are extremely aromatic, which contains a reminiscent flavor of pineapple while retaining the texture while attaining the texture of a strawberry. Based on some food critics opinions, pineberries flavor profile is referred as watery, bitter, and has the taste of an unripe strawberry. However, taste is a personal preference, and there are many positive opinions on the flavor of a pineberry.
As you know there are many types of varieties of strawberries, there are also varieties of pineberries too. The pineberry varieties that are available are the ‘White Pine’, ‘White Carolina’, ‘White D’, and ‘Natural Albino’ cultivars.
The growth of pineberries varies on the type of pineberry. To maintain the pale white appearance of the fleshy tissue of the pineberries, grow them in a glass house. The pineberries exposed to direct sun usually have more pink flush than the other pineberries. To grow this plant at its peak, you must have a pollinator strawberry in close proximity. For every four pineberry plants, there should be a regular strawberry plant for pollination purposes.
History edit
Pineberry was first sold commercially in the United States in 2012.[2][4]Pineberry has been marketed to restaurants, bakeries and wholesale markets in Europe and Dubai.[1] The berry was dubbed "pineberry" for the UK market where it became available in 2011.[3][5] In 2012, pineberries were imported into the United States for commercial sale for the first time. They became available to New York at Dean & DeLuca, Eataly, and Agata &Valentina from early May until mid-June.
The Pineberry was not made by genetic engineering, it was made by crossbreeding a pineapple and a strawberry.The specific strawberry variety whose genetics contribute the appearance of the pineberry was recovered by a group of Dutch farmers. They established the specific strawberry variety material in France. They did not find and rescue the pineberry from extinction in the wilds of Chile, as some have claimed. After six years of plant selection and cultivation, the plant health and quality of the pineberry plants was improved, and the decision to begin growing them for commercial production was made.
See also edit
- Fragaria nilgerrensis, a wild species of no commercial value that has white fruit
References edit
- ^ a b c "Pineberry breeder introduces white strawberries with pineapple punch". Fresh Fruit Portal. 31 March 2016. Retrieved 26 June 2016.
- ^ a b Fabricant F (15 May 2012). "Curious Berries to Tide You Over". New York Times. Retrieved 26 June 2016.
- ^ a b Tozer, James (March 31, 2010). "Pineberries and cream? The new summer fruit which looks like a white strawberry... but tastes like a pineapple". Daily Mail. Retrieved January 7, 2013.
- ^ "Pineberry & Pineberries". 2010-09-13. Retrieved 2014-07-21.
- ^ "Pineberries At Waitrose: Spring Fruit Looks Like Strawberry But Tastes Like Pineapple". Business. Sky News. Retrieved 2011-02-10.