As well as being brightly coloured and offering a sweet fragrance and flavour, strawberries are a rich source of vitamin C, fibre and antioxidants.

Part of the Rosaceae family, which also includes apples, pears, quinces, apricots, plums, cherries, peaches, raspberries and almonds, the fruit grows in clusters with around 200 seeds on their exterior skin.

Strawberries are grown in South Australia in a wide range of soils with the most popular varieties being Selva, Pojaro, Albion and Parkers. Vanessa Sherry from Kuitpo Forest Strawberries says that its Albion strawberries have good flower coverage this year and the fruit has a beautiful aroma, a deep red colour and a sweet flavour.

You can find Kuitpo Forest Strawberries at Adelaide Showgrounds Farmers’ Market on Sundays from 9am to 1pm at the Adelaide Showground, Leader Street, Wayville, and at Willunga Farmers’ Market from 8am to 12.30pm on Saturdays. Prospect Farmers’ Market is also on every Thursday from 3pm to 7pm in the Vine Street Plaza next to Prospect Town Hall, Prospect.

Billy Doeke, assistant manager at Willunga Farmers’ Market, recommends her Strawberry Ice recipe for a refreshing dessert on a hot day: Blend 500g of hulled and roughly chopped strawberries with the juice of 1 lemon and a tablespoon of castor sugar. Pour the mixture into a container and freeze. To serve, scrape flakes off the top using a spoon, or put chunks into a blender using a grater attachment until you have enough. Serve with a sprig of mint.