Strawberries are a tasty and wholesome fruit. They are enjoyable in a variety of ways. You’ve probably been chopping off and discarding your strawberry leaves your entire life. The strawberry leaves shouldn’t be thrown out so quickly. They still have a ton of life left in them. Learn more about strawberry leaves by reading this article.
What Part Of The Strawberry Do We Eat
You’re going to enjoy this! I used to literally throw the tops away when I was a novice cook. But then one day, I had a thought: what if the berry’s colorful fruit is not the only part that can be eaten? And, true to my suspicion, I had been discarding only consumable parts.
In actuality, the flesh, leaves, and tops of strawberries are all edible. Furthermore, these parts are frequently tender enough to be consumed raw. Strawberry leaves, including the tops, are edible.
Are Strawberry Leaves Poisonous
The leaves of strawberries are not poisonous. It won’t do any harm to your body at all to eat them. However, a small amount of hydrogen cyanide, which deters insects and pests, is present in the green stems and old leaves.
Farm animals may experience negative side effects like diarrhea even though there is not enough of this toxin to harm humans. In addition, digestive problems like indigestion and bloating can be treated with strawberry leaves.
Read more: Are Strawberry Plants Perennial?
Are Strawberry Leaves Edible
Yes, let’s talk about the advantages of eating strawberry leaves now that we know where to look and what to eat.
These are:
They Are Antioxidant-rich
Antioxidants are present in reasonable amounts in a strawberry’s calyx and leaves. This shield your body from the damaging effects of free radicals, which can result in long-term conditions like heart disease and arthritis.
It is best to consume young leaves because antioxidant content decreases with aging.
They Are Good For Your Body’s Immune System
Vitamin C and antioxidants are found in strawberry leaves. These can support the synthesis of antibodies that can defend your body against infections. It’s interesting to note that per mass, strawberries contain more vitamin C than oranges.
They Can Aid In Digestion And Constipation Relief
Strawberry leaves have a high fiber content that can promote regular bowel movements, eliminate harmful toxins from your intestines, and make you feel full after meals. Long-term prevention of diabetes and heart disease is possible with this.
They Can Help Keep Your Blood Pressure Under Control
Potassium, which can control your body’s sodium and water levels, is found in strawberry leaves. As a result, heart disease can be avoided and high blood pressure can be reduced.
Cosmetic Benefits
Strawberry leaves are beneficial to your skin as well, did you know that? It turns out that you can incorporate them into melted oils to create the scent. Your skin will be protected against aging wrinkles, rashes, eczema, and acne thanks to their antioxidant properties.
Additionally, vitamin C can aid in the removal of age spots from your skin.
Help Against Cancer Cells
No natural remedy is more effective than those found in nature, it could be said. Because strawberry leaves are a powerful antioxidant, eating them can significantly reduce your risk of developing certain types of cancer. You should regularly eat them for this reason, among others.
Strawberry Leaves Nutrients
Nutrients Present In Strawberry Leaves
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin K
- Iron
- Tannins (astringent)
- Flavonoids
- Proanthocyanidins
- Fragaria (antibiotic)
- Polyphenols
Sweet Ways To Use Strawberry Tops
An assortment of red and white flesh, a tuft of leafy greens, and, most importantly, a lot of sweet berry flavor are all that remain when the strawberry’s top is cut off. Infusing beverages like water, vinegar, kombucha, and alcohol with strawberry tops is one of my favorite uses for them.
- Infuse water: Love the posh water at the spa that is infused with fruit? The simplest way to make it at home is this. Before drinking, add the strawberry tops to a glass jar, cover them with water, and let steep for about an hour.
- Infuse vinegar: For a quick and elegant twist, add strawberry tops to your preferred vinegar. Use the vinegar that has been infused with the flavor of the berries to flavor dressings and sauces by covering the tops of the berries with vinegar (white wine, red wine, and balsamic vinegar work best).
- Infuse booze: Add a delicate pink hue and the delectable scent of strawberries to your preferred spirit, such as vodka, rum, or gin. Strain and shake your preferred beverage with the strawberry tops after letting it steep for about two days to create a classic summer cocktail.
- Flavor kombucha: Don’t forget about the tops if you’re using strawberries in your kombucha. They still have a lot of that ripe berry flavor.
- smoothie by blending: If adding kale and spinach to your smoothies is something you eagerly await, think of strawberry tops as an additional source of greens. Put the berries in the blender whole rather than cutting off the top.
- Tea: Several minutes of boiling water should be used to steep organic strawberry leaves, fresh or dried. Before drinking, take out the leaves.