What do we have here… White strawberries? Basically, yes! They’re called pineberries – a pink/white strawberry cultivar with red seeds. They have a creamy-white interior with a soft texture and the slightest tropical flavor, as if a pineapple met a pear. And most importantly – they’re super-delicious.
What is a Pineberry?
One of the first things you might think when you see a pineberry is, “Is it an unripe strawberry?” No; these berries are naturally whitish-pink. Farmers pick them at their perfect ripeness. (Strawberries do not ripen after picking.)
Why are they white? Because they lack a naturally occurring flavonoid compound, anthocyanin, that gives strawberries their red color.
Are pineberries sour? Not at all. They are as sweet – maybe even sweeter – than your average strawberry.
But are pineberries genetically modified? No, they are a natural hybrid cross between two species of strawberries. Plant scientists at the University of Florida developed them through natural breeding techniques.
These particular pineberries are from Wish Farms (they call them Pink-A-Boo® pineberries), by way of Melissa’s Produce.
From November through April these berries grow in Plant City and Duette, Florida. From January through October, they grow in California: Salinas, Oxnard, and Santa Maria. In both locations, the pineberries grow in fields directly adjacent to traditional strawberries and they are harvested at the same time.
Where Can You Buy Pineberries?
Many grocery stores in the U.S. and Canada sell Wish Farms pineberries. You can buy them at Aldi, BJ’s, Central Market, Costco, Costco Canada, Food Lion, Giant, Hannaford, Kroger, Meijer, Publix, Rouses Market, Sprouts Farmers Market, The Fresh Market, and Winn-Dixie.
Of course, you should check with your local store to confirm availability. And if your store doesn’t carry them, talk to your produce manager to find out whether it is possible to carry them.
You can also check back on the list of stores that carry them, as the list continues to grow.
How Do You Store Pineberries?
Basically, you would use pineberries the same way you would use strawberries. You should store them in a clean and dry container in the refrigerator. Wash them only just before you are ready to use them.
If you want to freeze them, rinse them in cold water and remove the green tops. Gently pat them with a paper towel to dry. Then spread them out on a baking sheet and freeze for two hours. (This helps keep them from sticking together in the freezer.) Then place them all in a freezer-safe bag or container and keep them in the freezer for up to six months.
What’s the Best Way To Eat Pineberries?
Oooh – Thank you for asking! Mostly you just want to eat them out of hand.
We used them first in this cheeseboard, where they provided a nice contrast to the red strawberries.
Then we layered them with fresh burrata on sourdough toast. We found that putting them on a white background really helped to highlight their pale color.
Last but not least we put them on this Pineberry Tart. The tart is made with a simple tart crust, then topped with sweetened cream cheese and pineberries.
Pineberry Tart
A tart made with pineberries and a sweetened cream cheese filling
Ingredients
- 1 tart crust or pie crust
- 1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 3/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla
- juice of one lemon
- mint leaves for garnish (optional)
- 1 10-ounce package of pineberries (white strawberries)
Instructions
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Bake the tart shell or pie crust according to recipe directions. Set aside to cool for at least 25 minutes.
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In a medium bowl, using an electric mixer, combine cream cheese, sour cream, powdered sugar, vanilla, and lemon juice. Blend until smooth and thoroughly combined. Scoop into tart shell and spread evenly to create a flat surface.
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Wash the pineberries and gently pat them dry. Slice off the green ends of each pineberry, then slice each pineberry in half, from top to bottom.
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Arrange the pineberries: Begin by laying down a circle of pineberry halves on the outermost ring of the tart with the white/pink exterior facing up. Then inside that circle, lay down a circle of pineberry halves with the white flesh facing up. Repeat with additional circles, alternating pink side up and flesh side up, ending with a single pink half pineberry in the center. Garnish with mint leaves if desired. Chill until ready to serve.
If you get a chance to try pineberries, let us know. Even better, if you have another way you like to eat them, we’d love to hear about it!
P.S. Looking for more ideas? Try these favorite summer strawberry recipes with pineberries!
Hi! I'm Jeanne Fratello - a writer, reporter, and food enthusiast who is on a mission to write great stories about food and where your food comes from.
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