pineberries

[redbird]

cattitude bought something new at the farmers' market today: "pineberries." They're a strawberry variety, very pale with dark seeds.

They have a mild but definite strawberry scent, and a similarly mild flavor. There's nothing wrong with them, but a ripe red strawberry is sweeter, more intense, and to my tastes much better. I'm guessing that, other than novelty value, a reason for growing these is they may like slightly different growing conditions: these turned up at the market two or three weeks after the regular strawberries.

Cattitude noticed a faint but definite undertone of pineapple in the flavor, and thinks that explains the name. (They dnn't look or smell anything like a pine tree.)

I'm glad to have tried them, but probably won't get them again, even if there aren't any normal strawberries.

Comments

[st_aurafina]

Pineberries! Still, if they're out before regular strawberries, they might have a bit of a niche? Our early strawberries are one variety, a kind they market as low-acid, then we get these huge three-bite sized berries for a while, then tiny super sweet ones.

[redbird]

We got these for a similar reason, though after rather than before regular strawberries. I miss the Tri-Star variety that people brought to the farmers' market in New York City, but the climate here is slightly different than that of New Jersey and downstate New York (the Hudson Valley and Long Island), which is where the farmers come to the New York City Greenmarkets from. (A few come from the Pennsylvania Dutch country, but mostly bringing cheese and baked goods, not berries.)

I miss living so near a year-round farmers' market, though by midwinter the only fruit was apples: it was worth it for them, fresh local fish, cheese, and baked goods.

[amaebi]

Pineberry plants have been chic/expensive for a couple of years now. I never buy things when they're still chic-- so thanks for letting me know never to bother. :D

[switterbeet]

I got one of these plants in a 3-for-1 strawberry planter on sale (pineberries, "framberries" - a raspberry-flavoured strawberry, and just plain strawberries). None have produced very much fruit for me, although the couple pineberries I had were ok.