Strawberries, the cream of fruits

THE tennis championships now being played on the manicured grass courts in Wimbledon are traditionally associated with strawberries and cream.

But the taste buds of people in Ireland, not a noted tennis stronghold, are also being increasingly tickled by the juicy fruit which was mentioned in ancient Roman literature because of its medicinal use.

Strawberries grown in Ireland were always regarded as high summer treats in the past because the climate militated against their production in the outdoors during the rest of the year.