I was like a child yesterday picking juicy, sun-ripened strawberries straight out of a muddy field on John Green’s farm just outside Gorey in Co Wexford. We might complain about a wet summer, but we still have these glorious nature’s sweet-shop treats to enjoy.

It was estimated there were at one time up to 750 growers in the Wexford area! That has now dwindled down to about 15 growers, of which five have banded together under their own label, Sunny Wexford Strawberries, to promote the area as the strawberry basin of Ireland.

The Department of Agriculture has recently clamped down on imported strawberries being sold under misleading labels that cause the consumer to believe they are buying Irish strawberries. Make sure that on the label it states the country of origin is Ireland, not just packed in Ireland.

Ireland produces excellent strawberries and grows soft, juicy varieties such as El Santa and Sonata varieties, which are full of flavour.

Importing strawberries into Ireland clocks up a ridiculous 250,000 food miles between transport trucks and air miles. Our strawberry season runs from April to December, so there is no reason to buy imported strawberries.

Every day, it seems as though research confirms berries are an important part of a healthy diet.

Eating just one serving of strawberries, which is about eight of these sweet fruits a day, could help improve heart health, lower the risk of developing some cancers and lower blood pressure.

The heart health and anti-cancer power of strawberries comes from their phytonutrient content, while the potassium in strawberries helps maintain normal blood pressure.

So, it appears that by including strawberries in your diet, you might just achieve and maintain a lowered risk for developing certain diseases.

Furthermore, in a study published in the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, subjects who consumed the lowest amounts of vitamin C-rich foods were more than three times more likely to develop arthritis than those who consumed the highest amounts.

Fortunately for strawberry lovers, one serving of berries offers 96mg of vitamin C, a whopping 160pc of your recommended daily allowance. Vitamin C is also vital for a healthy immune system and healthy vein and artery tissue.

Strawberries are best served at room temperature and I have been told by the experts not to wash them!

They have a natural acid mantle that kills bacteria. Plus, washing them makes them go soggy.

Try experimenting with sweet and savoury recipes as strawberries are an interesting fruit that go well with balsamic vinegar and black pepper, scallops, and even make a tangy salsa!

Useful Contacts: sunnystrawberries.ie

Strawberry, Avocado and Papaya Salad (Serves 6)

Dressing:

1 clove garlic, crushed

1 jalapenó pepper, finely chopped (you can use pickled jalapenós from a jar)

Quarter coriander leaves, chopped

2 spring onions, finely chopped

Juice of 2 limes

Half cup light olive oil

Salt and pepper

Salad:

3 avocados, diced

2 cups of strawberries, sliced

1 papaya, peeled and sliced

1 red onion, very finely sliced

200g baby salad leaves

Method:

* Mix all the dressing ingredients together and adjust the flavours according to your taste.

* On six plates or one large platter, make a bed of baby salad leaves. Arrange the sliced onion, strawberries, papaya and avocado on top.

Be careful not to mash the avocado or papaya.

* Drizzle over the dressing and serve immediately.

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