If the mango is considered the king of fruits, I strongly believe strawberry should be the queen. And boy, what a beloved queen she would be! After low temperatures, this fruit is the second most popular thing to look forward to in winters. Rich in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, strawberries are not only extremely tasty but also high in nutritional value!

Strawberries grow in several parts of India, namely Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, West Bengal, Punjab, Rajasthan, Haryana, Delhi and the Nilgiri hills. Although the berry is not what India is known for, we do export freshly grown strawberries to several other countries.

With Maharashtra producing almost 60 per cent of the strawberries produced in India, we Mumbaikars consider ourselves quite lucky to be just a few hours away from the Mahabaleshwar, the hub of strawberries. With street vendors, grocery stores, restaurants and dessert parlours going all out in the cities to make sure we’re making the most of this sweet fruit until next season, we’re digging into our pockets and letting our taste buds do all the thinking!

While feasting on fresh strawberries is a treat by itself, there are countless other strawberry combinations that we can vouch for. As we bid goodbye to the strawberry season, let’s celebrate the five best strawberry combinations that will make you run into your kitchen ASAP!

Strawberries and cream
Indulge yourself with this classic combination of sliced strawberries and cream. If you want to go all out (we recommend), sprinkle some sugar on top as well. Considered a classic English dessert, this easy to prepare desert is another thing the British seemed to have left behind with us – well, we’re certainly not complaining!
 
Nutella dipped strawberries
No, I am not salivating at the thought of this beautiful combination that needs to be truly devoured, YOU are! What is it about chocolate that makes even the tastiest fruit 10 times tastier? Get your Nutella jar out, dip those strawberries in, and say hello to the sensory overload that you will now experience!
 
Strawberry milkshake
Whether you bravely choose to make this at home or order it from the nearest McDonalds, this drink is sure to leave you heavy and happy after just one glass. While it’s available in a lot of places (McD, I’m looking at you) all year round, the seasonal milkshakes made from the freshly grown and plucked strawberries are hard to beat.
 
Strawberries with vanilla ice cream
Make sure you bring out a big bowl for this because you’re definitely going to want a lot of it! The most popular combination in India, we’ve all grown up having this every winter. Whether it’s at a wedding buffet, dinner party, or just a midnight snack, this quick fix can leave you feeling as fresh as the strawberries!
 
Healthy oats pancake with strawberries
If you’re looking for a healthy alternative to enjoy the strawberries, this is the best way! Skip the refined flour and use oats as the base for your pancake batter. Top it up with sliced strawberries, a bit of chocolate sauce if you feel like it, and ta-da! Guilt-free enjoy this filling option before strawberries run out.