Whether you realize it or not, growing strawberries is a multi-billion dollar business. The commercial growers that engage in the production of the delightful red berries are always looking for new ways to increase their yields and, consequently, their profits. Each year, new strawberry varieties are developed by specialized strawberry nurseries, government agricultural experimentation stations, and even overseas outfits. Since the United States of America is the leading strawberry producer, it isn't surprising that the latest market development should come out of the United States.
Before mentioning the latest niche development, allow me to review the latest big trend and review its success. The last big release to catch fire and burst forth into the niche Fragaria market was the pineberry. The pineberry is a white hybrid strawberry that was developed initially in the Netherlands by selective cultivation of plant stock found in France. The pineberry has taken a couple of years to enter the mainstream, where it has now arrived. Prior to 2012, the pineberry was relegated to the fringe. Few people had heard of it, and fewer still had acquired either the plants or the produce for cultivation or enjoyment.
That has now changed. Pineberries are gaining traction, and large commercial nurseries have gotten in on the action. Specifically, the large and well-established W. Atlee Burpee company saw the potential and is the first large commercial outfit to offer the pineberry plants in the United States. Next year, following Burpee's success this growing season, more will surely follow. However, selling the plants have proven to be a boom for them this year.
The unique white color and the fusion of tastes make the pineberry a desirable garden addition despite smaller yields of smaller berries. The fruits have a predominantly strawberry flavor, but with pineapple overtones. The resultant unique taste is gaining traction as a garden favorite and special treat for those early adopters who have tried something new this year. While not overly productive, their rarity and uniqueness has also allowed some farmers to command significant (some might even say exorbitant) prices at early farmer's markets this year.
With the success and trajectory of mainstream awareness that the pineberry is presently experiencing, it shouldn't come as a surprise that new developments would be sought to capitalize on the popularity of strawberries. So, the new development this year is quite different from the white pineberry, but no less unique. It is the Purple Wonder cultivar, offered also by Burpee.
The unique aspect of this offering is their deep color. Unlike the low yield and small berries associated with pineberries, the purple strawberry plants manage to put out normal yields of normal-sized purple strawberries. The purple strawberries do taste like your normal red variety, but do look markedly different. While some people take issue with whether the strawberry plants produce true purple strawberries or just a very dark burgundy fruit, there is no debate about whether or not they look markedly different from your normal offering.
So, why not try both and see for yourself!?
To learn about these latest two unique strawberry developments, be sure to check out the following information pages from the world leader in strawberry information, StrawberryPlants.org...
You can learn about the brand new purple strawberries, including where to purchase your own plants, here: Purple Strawberries
You can learn about the fantastic and popular pineapple-tasting pineberry, including where to purchase your own plants, here: Pineberry Pineberries
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