Strawberries and Cream
Fresh strawberries, luscious cream, and centuries of British tradition: discover why this simple treat is the ultimate taste of summer in England, and how you can create it at home!
Strawberries and cream are as quintessentially English as tea and biscuits.
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While this berry and dairy pairing is enjoyed all around the United Kingdom, the history behind this pairing lies firmly in jolly old England.
Why are Strawberries and Cream English?
The reason that this combination is connected to English tradition began with Alpine strawberries which grew (and still grow) wild in the UK. However, the Victorian era brought the pairing of larger berries (English strawberries) with cream to the forefront of British cuisine. By the early 1800s, it was fashionable to eat the sweet strawberries as part of a sweets buffet.
Wimbledon Strawberries and Cream
In 1877, strawberries and cream was first served at Wimbledon due to the railroad allowing the fruit to be picked in the morning and served in London hours later. Now, thousands of servings of strawberries and cream are eaten at the Wimbledon tennis tournament every year, along with the thirst quenching, and equally English Pimm’s No 1 Cup beverage!
Take your red fruits and cream to the next level with strawberry tarts!
Which Cream for Strawberries and Cream
I don’t need to advise you on cream if you are in the UK, but if you are in the US or Canada, it’s another story. The best option we have is to find the highest fat content, without additives or thickeners, like Alexandre Family Farm, organic heavy whipping cream (40% fat) or Straus organic whipping cream (35% fat), as just two examples.
TIP: Don’t be tempted to add sugar if you want to make this dessert the English way. However, if your strawberries aren’t very sweet, or don’t have much flavor, I would recommend chopping them into a bowl, adding a squeeze of lemon juice and some sugar and allow to macerate. Then after 10 to 20 minutes, serve with cream and you will have saved your boring old strawberries!
Another luscious way to use your sweet, red berries–strawberry muffins (super light and fluffy!)
Wimbledon Strawberries and Cream Recipe
Recipe by Christina Conte Serves 2
FULL PRINTABLE RECIPE BELOW
Ingredients
- strawberries, preferably organic
- whipping cream (high fat) – see notes
Directions
Wash the berries, hull and dry them. If they are small, place directly into a serving bowl or coupe glass, otherwise, halve or quarter them first. (I kept one strawberry with its leaves just for a pretty presentation.)
Pour the cream over the top of the fruit.
Serve your Wimbledon strawberries and cream immediately.
A classic French dessert to try: strawberries Romanoff is simply divine!
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Strawberries and Cream
Ingredients
- 2 cups strawberries organic
- 4 oz heavy whipping cream highest fat content available, preferably organic
Instructions
- Wash the strawberries, hull and dry them. If they are small, place directly into a serving bowl or coupe glass, otherwise, halve or quarter them first. (I kept one strawberry with its leaves just for a pretty presentation.)
- Pour the cream over the top of the strawberries.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- I recommend Harry’s Berries strawberries (if you can find them) for the very best flavor, if you are buying them.
- Don’t be tempted to add sugar if you want to make the strawberries and cream the English way…with an exception (see next tip.)
- However, if your strawberries aren’t very sweet, or don’t have much flavor, I would recommend chopping them into a bowl, adding a squeeze of lemon juice and some sugar and allow to macerate. Then after 10 to 20 minutes, serve with cream and you will have saved your boring old strawberries!
Nutrition
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