FLORIDA — It’s peak strawberry season in Florida, and that means fresh, juicy berries are hitting grocery stores, farmers markets, and U-pick fields across the state.
For many, it’s the sweetest time of the year.
“Strawberries are a perfect balance of sweet and tangy,” said Joshua Payne, a family and consumer sciences agent with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS).
“That’s what makes them so irresistible.”
One of the best places to celebrate the season is the Florida Strawberry Festival in Plant City. Visitors come from near and far to enjoy everything strawberry—from shortcake piled high with whipped cream to fresh-picked berries by the basket.
“It’s a classic,” said Mr Payne, who grew up in Plant City.
“People love the combination of textures—the fluffy cake, juicy strawberries, and light, airy whipped cream. It’s a fan favorite for a reason.”
Florida plays a significant role in supplying fresh strawberries to the nation, growing about 11 percent of the country’s crop. With 14,000 acres of strawberry fields in Hillsborough, Polk, and Manatee counties, the state provides sweet berries when colder regions can’t.
But strawberries aren’t just delicious—they’re packed with nutrients, too. They contain more vitamin C per cup than citrus fruit and are high in fiber, which supports digestion, Payne noted.
“They’re naturally sweet but also good for you,” he said. “It’s a win-win.”
For the best flavor, Andrea Nikolai, a UF/IFAS dietitian, shares a few tips. Always pick fully red strawberries, as they won’t ripen after harvest. Store them in the fridge at 32 to 36 degrees Fahrenheit, but let them sit at room temperature for an hour before eating to bring out their best taste.
Many of the strawberries on store shelves come from years of careful research at UF/IFAS, where scientists develop varieties suited for Florida’s climate. In Gainesville, taste-testing labs help ensure new strawberry varieties are just as flavorful—if not better—than the ones consumers already love.
“In the taste lab, we have regular strawberry lovers sample new varieties compared to the ones they already know,” said Charlie Sims, a UF food science professor.
“That way, we make sure we’re always improving the flavor.”
Whether you grab a basket at the store or farmers market, visit a U-pick farm, or indulge in strawberry shortcake at the festival, there’s no better time to enjoy Florida’s sweetest crop.
