Question of the Week – Pineberry

Why is this strawberry white?

A strawberry that isn’t red? Meet the pineberry. Pineberries (Fragaria × ananassa) may look unusual, but they’re closely related to the strawberries we all know and love. In fact, they share the same genus, though they are considered different species and types altogether. The modern pineberry traces its roots back to a natural cross between a Chilean strawberry and one of our native North American strawberries.

Plant breeders have spent years selecting and improving traits to create today’s pineberries, known for their creamy white fruit with a soft pink blush and bright red seeds. Once considered a rare novelty, pineberries are becoming more common in commercial production, with several cultivars now available to growers.

While pineberry plants typically produce fewer berries than traditional red strawberries, the fruit often commands a premium price thanks to its unique appearance and flavor. The texture is very similar to a strawberry, but the taste leans tropical. To me, it’s like a mild blend of pineapple and strawberry, which is exactly how the pineberry got its name.

These berries were grown at Hickory Bluff Berry Farm and will be featured in an upcoming episode of Making It Grow.  To learn more about pineberries, please visit this site from the University of Illinois. 

This week’s question is from Zack Snipes, Lowcountry Fruit and Vegetable Extension Agent.