When I was recently introduced to pineberries, I thought they were an under-ripe strawberry, but boy, was I wrong! These blushing berries are surprisingly sweet with a hint of tropical tartness.
Give these blushing beauties a try...the flavor will surprise you! #pineberries #saslife Click To Tweet
What are Pineberries?
Pineberries are a hybrid between Japanese white strawberries and standard Florida strawberries. These white strawberries with red seeds are slightly smaller than red strawberries and have subtle notes of pineapple, peach and/or apricot – with pineapple being the most detectable (hence the name!). They have a slightly softer texture compared to red strawberries and the internal flesh is completely white.
While pineberries have been around for centuries, it wasn’t until more recently that they made their way to grocery store shelves. In 2012, a team at the University of Florida went to work on creating a variety that could thrive in U.S. growing conditions while producing a high enough yield for commercial consumption. From this project, the modern-day pineberry (The Florida Pearl®) was born and was granted a plant patent in 2021.
Nutritionally speaking, pineberries and strawberries are very similar but differ when it comes to their polyphenol profiles. Pineberries lack anthocyanin, which gives strawberries their red hue, but have high levels of other polyphenols like quercetin, kaempferol and gallic acid.
Picking Pineberries
In the U.S., pineberries are grown primarily in Florida (from November to April) and California (from January to October). They are available nationwide at various grocery stores and warehouse clubs.
For the sweetest bite, pick pineberries that have a pink blush color with dark red seeds. This color combo indicates they were picked at peak ripeness.
Storing and Preparing Pineberries
Like all berries, pineberries are highly perishable. Keep them in the refrigerator and do not wash them in advance. When you’re ready to pop a pineberry, rinse under a gentle stream of cool water. When stored properly, pineberries should last 5-7 days but are best enjoyed within a few days of purchase.
Plating Up Pineberries
The purest way to enjoy a pineberry is to cut the top off and dive in! You can also toss on top of yogurt, oatmeal, or salad, stir into muffins or pancakes, or add to your next charcuterie board for an unexpected flare. If you’re looking for more creative ideas, check out these perfectly pink pairings – this pineberry cucumber salad + crostini are on my list to try and the salad dressing below is to die for!
Pineberry Poppy Seed Dressing
Recipe adapted from Wish Farms
Makes approximately 2 cups
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Ingredients
2 cups pineberries
⅓ cup orange juice
1 Tbsp honey
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp onion powder
1 Tbsp poppy seeds
½ lemon, juiced (or 1 Tbsp)
Pinch of salt
½ cup avocado or olive oil
Directions
- Wash pineberries. Remove tops and cut in half.
- Place all ingredients, except for oil, in a food processor or blender.
- Blend ingredients while slowly adding oil until smooth and creamy.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with additional honey and/or salt if needed.
- Store in a lidded container or jar in the refrigerator. Shake well before serving.
