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The strawberry season is a wonderful time of year when we fully enjoy our favorite juicy strawberry recipes. Today, however, we will tell you something about why you should never throw away those green stems. They can be used perfectly in the kitchen and for health.
The small green stems are most often dried into a fragrant strawberry tea. It is not only very fragrant, but also has great potential for health issues. Herbalists recommend it to prevent a large number of illnesses and to alleviate signs of aging.
How do strawberry stems help?
- Helps reduce the painful symptoms of gout.
- Reduces the amount harmful cholesterol in the blood.
- Reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases .
- Has an astringent effect thanks to its high content of tannins .
- Suppresses signs of skin aging related to age (apply crushed stems as a mask to the face to reduce signs of aging).
Even in peak season strawberries can scarcely be called a cheap product, so we recommend using everything from them: frozen fruit and dried strawberry stems. And now more about how to do it so that the fruit doesn’t turn into a disgusting red mash and the stems don’t lose their medicinal properties.
At the start, wash the fruit thoroughly and remove all dirt. Get rid of damaged or rotten fruit. Then gently separate the stem (you can do this with a knife or a straw).
Spread the stems on a plate, towel or napkin. It is very important that they are not exposed to direct sunlight. The stems dry quickly; they will be ready during the day (you must store them in a dark, dry place). The main thing is to occasionally mix and turn them – it speeds up the drying process.
Now let the stems dry and focus on the fruit. Place the washed strawberries on a towel or paper towel and let them dry for 15–20 minutes. Excess moisture must be removed.
Transfer the dried strawberries to a clean bowl, cover them with a few tablespoons of sugar and gently mix so that each berry is coated with sugar.
For freezing, use a baking sheet or another deep container. The key is that the strawberries must be perfectly dry. Spread the strawberries in sugar in a single layer in the chosen container so that the fruits do not touch.
They freeze completely in one or two hours, but it is very important that you stir them every half hour so the strawberries do not freeze to the surface (for example, the baking sheet). Transfer the frozen strawberries to a resealable bag and store in the refrigerator.
This way frozen strawberries retain their taste and beautiful aroma and you can use them right away.
Other ways to use strawberry stems
In professional kitchens, strawberry stems serve as an excellent flavor, and not only that. The green part concentrates the fragrance and freshness of the strawberry fruit. Strawberry stems are simply washed and added to a pan with meat or sautéed vegetables. After cooking they have slightly tart tones and give dishes a unique taste.
Instead of lemon slices: Pour clean water into a jug, add a handful of washed strawberry stems and let it steep well. You will not believe how lovely a strawberry scent and fresh taste your lemonade will have. You can sweeten it with honey, cane sugar or other fruit. It is truly great!
Flavored vinegar: It is excellent for grilled fish, meat or for preparing vinegar dressings and salad dressings. All you have to do is put the rinsed stems into regular vinegar and let it rest for a few hours.
Alcohol with strawberry flavor: Put stems into clean vodka or another alcohol and let it sit for a few days. When you pour it, people will ask you how it is possible that the drink smells like strawberries.
Did you know that strawberry stems contain many vitamins and, like leafy greens, iron and other health-supporting substances? Add them to smoothies with spinach or green herbs. They add to the flavor, but also to the resulting smoothie!
Tea and strawberry seasoning: If you dry the stems, you can make an excellent tea or strawberry seasoning from them. To prepare tea we need 1 teaspoon of dried leaves, pour 1 cup of boiling water over it, let it steep and even in winter we can enjoy the typical summer taste and aroma. Strawberry seasoning is great for salads, meat, but also, for example, for cakes, to which it gives a beautiful fragrance.
Add them to a bath: A strawberry bath in winter months? Why not! Pour a little dried strawberry stems or frozen fresh stems into the tub. You have created the most wonderful relaxing experience!
