The world of fruit is diverse, and people are often fascinated with new fruit variants that they come across. Among them, one that has repeatedly caught people’s attention is the black strawberries. The rarity and majestic appearance are what sets them apart.
But the question is, “Are they even real?” To be fair, black strawberries are often misunderstood and misconstrued. We will discuss more on that in a later section of the article.
However, we understand that you are curious about the unique color and traits of these mysterious black strawberries, and you aren’t the only one. So, let us set the record straight and get things in order in this article.
What are Black Strawberries?
You can’t proceed with the traits, features, and taste of these supposed black strawberries if you don’t even know what they are. So, let us answer that first.
Black strawberries are the type of strawberries available in the market that generally have a darker purple and burgundy hue to them. The intensity and vividness of the color are so much that it often “appears black.” This is where the misconception started.
So, if “black strawberries” aren’t a real thing, where did the concept come from? Well, we’d have to blame famous artist John Robertson for that. His resin strawberry that he spray painted in black led to the origination of the term “black strawberries.”
And, while that was a mere artistic representation, people have taken things out of context and turned it into a reality. It would have been fun and games if the concept of black strawberries was a mere concept. However, things have escalated further than that.
Several scammers have leveraged people’s beliefs and started selling “black strawberry seeds,” claiming they produce black strawberries, which is not possible.
Besides all these confusions, several people also confuse black raspberries for black strawberries at times. This has also led to a whole barrel of conspiracies.
To wrap it all up in brief, Black Strawberries isn’t real.
Are the “Black Strawberries Seeds” Legit?
Given that we explained everything there is to know about black strawberries in the previous section, and you now know they aren’t real, it is safe to say that the seeds aren’t a real deal as well.
People online have started scamming people, saying that they are selling black strawberry seeds. However, the catch is that it's not biologically possible because black strawberries don’t exist in real life.
So, to answer your question, “Are the black strawberry seeds legit?” The answer is no. If you come across a website or a random online seller trying to claim that they are selling seeds that guarantee black strawberries, be assured it’s a scam.
One of the reasons why these sellers and scammers can recurringly scam people is due to the need for more awareness. Not many people are calling them out on their act. So, they are opting for platforms like Amazon, Etsy, Facebook marketplace, etc., to scam people over and over again.
What we’d recommend you do when you are buying seeds online is to cross-check the website you are buying from. The last thing you want to do is not get your money’s worth. And, if you come across websites selling “black strawberry seeds,” report them.
Also Read: The Strawberry Life Cycle: From Seed to Fruit [Growth Stages]
Why do People Want to Buy Black Strawberries Seeds?
Well, the question might sound redundant now that you know that the existence of black strawberries isn’t actual. But the catch is that not many people know that.
So, for the people who aren’t aware that black strawberries don’t exist, the concept of it sounds fascinating to them. Hence, they fall prey to these scams.
Some of the common reasons why people are easily deceived into buying black strawberry seeds are:
1. Rarity and uniqueness
As human beings, we are fascinated by unique and rare things. So, when you upgrade from the standard red-colored strawberries to the black-colored ones, the concept seems enticing. Also, since these seeds are “marketed as rare,” people think of them as an investment and end up buying them to stand out from the crowd.
2. Lack of critical thinking
This might sound harsh, but it is true that some individuals either lack knowledge or critical thinking when it comes to these black strawberries. Since scammers are aware that not everyone is aware of the “lack of black strawberries in real life,” it becomes easier for them to scam people out of their money.
3. Visual deception
We mentioned at the beginning of the article that there is a rare variant of strawberry that’s deep purple. In less light and from a distance, these often look like black strawberries, so the visual deception is another reason why people fall prey to these scams.
4. Manipulation
The main objective of the scammers is to scam people out of their money. Since they are intelligent with their manipulative marketing tricks, it becomes easier for people to fall prey to these scams and buy the seeds.
Like we have been discussing all this while, black strawberries aren’t a thing. So, protect yourself and avoid spending hundreds of dollars buying the seeds that the scammers are trying to sell you online.
What do Black Strawberries Taste Like?
Given the fact that black strawberries don’t exist in the first place, it's safe to say that they don’t taste like anything.
If you come across a vendor selling “black strawberries,” there is a 100% chance that they are artificially painted. Eating them is not only bad for your health, but it won’t be anything different than a regular strawberry.
We’d urge you to avoid eating painted strawberries that are black since they are often painted with chemicals, which aren’t good for your health.
Instead, try out one of the following variants of strawberries besides the standard red ones we know of:
Yellow strawberries – They are rare and have a pungent, sweet, and tart taste to them. These strawberries have a yellow body with green seeds on them. Yellow Wonder is one of their most popular variants.
White strawberries – While black strawberries don’t exist in nature, white ones do. They have a white to translucent body with red seeds all over them. Among these variants, the Pineberry variant is the most popular. They are also considered the sweetest of all the strawberries we know.
Purple strawberries – When talking about black strawberries, the purple ones are practically the closest to them. They didn’t occur naturally and were introduced through a breeding program at Cornell University. When it comes to their taste, purple strawberries have a very strong and pungent aroma and taste to them.
Instead of falling into the scam of black strawberries, you can consider trying out these other rare and unique variants.
Also Read: 3 Natural Ways To Improve Your Overall Health And Wellness
Why are the Strawberries Turning Black?
Now, while black strawberries don’t exist, you might come across instances when the strawberries on your kitchen counter might be turning black or have visible black spots on them.
Why do they happen?
Technically, it is due to a fungal infection on the strawberry. It is caused by Botrytis cinerea (commonly known as gray mold), which is triggered by a humid and moist environment. So, if you leave your strawberries out in the open and the air is humid, it can lead to black spots.
Once the fungi attack the fruit, they don’t just remain on the surface level. Instead, the fungi penetrate deeper into the fruit and damage it from within. You don’t want to eat a strawberry that has this kind of fungal infection since it can lead to food poisoning.
Some tips to prevent the growth of black spots or fungal infections on the strawberries are:
- If you are buying them from the store, make sure you clean and refrigerate them immediately.
- You want to avoid overcrowding the strawberries in one place and not leave any space for the air to pass through.
- When buying strawberries from the market, cross-check and ensure that they aren’t already infested with the fungi.
These are a few simple steps that can help you navigate through the issues and ensure that your strawberries are fresh to eat every time.
Also Read: Top 10 Delicious Florida Fruits You Must Try
Conclusion
To close it off, black strawberries aren't real despite their rarity and beauty. If you have been meaning to buy the seeds online, thinking that you will be able to grow them in your garden, be assured that you are getting scammed. This has become an ongoing problem online, which needs to stop. Hence, it's time to gain knowledge about the subject and research and only buy from reputable seed sellers online and offline. Until then, enjoy the variants of strawberries that exist in real life.
