SC - 1430-1450 recipe for Strawberye...

[Decker, Terry D.]

> And I thought strawberries were new-world and post period...
> 
> (this recipe is dated 1430-1450)
> 
> Bran
> 
Strawberries were known in Antiquity and were harvested wild rather than
cultivated.  They were planted in large manor gardens beginning in the 13th
Century and later became a cultivar.  There are 3 or 4 European species.,
primarily the woodland strawberry, the musky strawberry and the alpine
strawberry.

Strawberries were found in the New World, but because of different
chromosome counts, interbreeding between the New World and Old World species
is difficult and not very productive.  In the 18th Century, the French
botanist Dusquene developed a large and prolific strawberry by crossbreeding
Virginian and Chilean varieties.  The resulting berries have taken over the
commercial market in Europe and the US.  

The European strawberries are still available, but are difficult to find and
are expensive as they are grown specifically for the gourmet market.

Bear