The California Strawberry Commission offers the following pointers to good strawberry eating:
— Unlike other fruits, strawberries do not ripen after being harvested, so choose strawberries that have been picked fully ripened.
— When you are buying the fruit, choose plump strawberries with a natural shine, bright-red color and fresh green caps.
— To maintain good flavor, appearance and nutritional value, store strawberries loosely covered and unwashed in the refrigerator, until serving time.
— Prepare strawberries for serving by rinsing, with caps still attached, under a gentle spray of cool water; pat dry with paper towel. The caps prevent water from breaking down the texture and flavor inside the berries.
For a free brochure of recipes and tips, "Strawberry Sensations," send a business-size, stamped (64 cents), self-addressed envelope to Consumer Brochure, c/o California Strawberry Commission, P.O. Box 269, Watsonville, CA 95076.
On the Net: www.calstrawberry.com