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I Tested a $19 Erewhon Strawberry vs. a Regular One—My Surprising Verdict

It’s challenging to surpass the flavor of a plump, crimson, perfectly ripened strawberry, and high-end supermarket Erewhon asserts they’ve discovered the finest-tasting one globally. However, there’s a twist: this premium fruit comes at an extraordinary cost, priced at $19 per individual berry. (Remember when $5 avocado toast caused such a stir?) Naturally, social media platforms are abuzz with discussions about it. While some content creators argue that the pricy strawberry justifies its expense, others remain skeptical and dismissive of the buzz surrounding it.

To cater to all the strawberry enthusiasts out there, we organized a blind tasting session aimed at determining if the Erewhon strawberry truly meets its reputation.

What makes the Erewhon strawberry so costly?

A perfect solitary berry comes nestled inside a plastic case that opens up similar to how one might find an engagement ring in a jewelry box. Positioned with its tip facing upwards, the berry rests on a plastic disk that also serves as a convenient grip for when you take your first bite. Despite looking like it was just plucked at the height of freshness, this strawberry has journeyed more than 5,000 miles all the way from the Tochigi Prefecture in Japan. Much like another premium Japanese fruit, sumo citrus The berries stand out for their exceptional sweetness. This characteristic comes from multiple years of crossbreeding aimed at achieving just the right taste profile, which also makes them notably low in acidity.

What do people think about this $19 strawberry?

TikTok influencer @alyssaantocii She calls it the finest strawberry she has ever tasted, but her commentators were skeptical. "A berry this expensive isn’t justified," remarked one individual. Another commenter noted that the promotional strategy might alter their perception: "If I spent $20 on just one strawberry, I'd likely believe it to be the most delicious I've ever eaten." Some also brought up concerns about the ecological footprint caused by the fruit's extensive travel route and unnecessary use of plastic for packaging.

What is the proper way to consume Tochiaika strawberries?

According to providers of specialized fruits Tochiaika strawberries are ideally consumed when freshly picked, right out of your hand. Should you store them in the refrigerator, let them sit at room temperature for about 15 to 30 minutes as colder temps can dull their flavor. Just prior to enjoying them, briefly wash each strawberry, then savor them by taking gentle nibbles and chewing slowly to fully appreciate their flavor.

Is the Erewhon strawberry actually that delicious?

Intrigued, we opted to conduct a blind taste test to ascertain if the Erewhon strawberry truly stands out or is merely perceived as superior to regular strawberries.

Here’s how our tasting evaluation was conducted.

Linda Cheung , a Taste of Home video producer, sent her boyfriend to buy premium strawberries from Erewhon and a pint of Driscoll’s strawberries from Whole Foods.

What our tester thought

During the blind tasting, Linda accurately identified the Erewhon strawberry. She mentioned that it possessed a delicate sweetness without any sour notes and noted its "soft" consistency. In contrast, she described the Whole Foods strawberry as having a tangy taste and a crunchier feel; additionally, she pointed out that this particular berry was also juicer.

She also noticed some differences in the look of the berries. The Erewhon strawberry had smaller, brighter seeds, while the Whole Foods strawberry had larger, darker yellow seeds and broader leaves. However, the size of the berries and red color were about the same.

The Erewhon strawberry costs $19.99, and a 16-ounce container of Driscoll’s non-organic strawberries is $4.29 at Whole Foods. Linda said she’s unlikely to go back for another taste of the luxury strawberry, though she is glad she had the opportunity to try one (and expense the cost)!

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