Strawberry
The
garden strawberry (or simply
strawberry /ˈstrɔːb(ə)ri/;
Fragaria × ananassa) is a widely grown hybrid species of the genus
Fragaria (collectively known as the strawberries). It is cultivated worldwide for its fruit. The fruit (which is not a botanical berry, but an aggregate accessory fruit) is widely appreciated for its characteristic aroma, bright red color, juicy texture, and sweetness. It is consumed in large quantities, either fresh or in such prepared foods as preserves, fruit juice, pies, ice creams, milkshakes, and chocolates. Artificial strawberry aroma is also widely used in many industrial food products. The garden strawberry was first bred in Brittany, France, in the 1750s via a cross of
Fragaria virginiana from eastern North America and
Fragaria chiloensis, which was brought from Chile by Amédée-François Frézier in 1714. Cultivars of
Fragaria ×
ananassa have replaced, in commercial production, the woodland strawberry (
Fragaria vesca), which was the first strawberry species cultivated in the early 17th century.