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Strawberry - The Sweet Heart Of Nature

04/17/10 08:23:27

By: Sandra Raičević Petrović

Fragaria is a genus of plants from the rose family widely known for its edible fruits. The Garden Strawberry (fragaria ananassa) is the most common and widespread among more than 20 cultivated species. The lower leaves have three lamina and are very complex, with characteristically toothed edges. The flowers are soft and white, with crown petals from which the multiple strawberry fruits develop. In most cases, the strawberry flowers are hermaphrodite in structure, taking the roles of both males and females. The fruit is fleshy, red, juicy, sweet-acidulous, and the smell is fruity-green and slightly caramel with gentle flowery-spicy nuances.

There are more than 20 species of strawberries, all with different numbers of chromosomes. The species with the largest number of chromosomes bear the largest, most robust fruits, including "The Pink Panda" hybrid strawberries, "Ruby Red" or Franor, and "Lipstick," which belong to the genus fragaria cumarum hybrids. Genus fragaria vescana is obtained by crossing garden strawberries and wild strawberries. The first garden strawberries were cultivated in Brittany, France in 1740.

In addition to domestic garden strawberry species, there is Wild Strawberry (fragaria vesca), which is most common in the mid- and temperate zones of Europe and Asia. In favorable conditions, strawberries are easy to maintain, reproduce quickly and require little space to develop and grow. Besides different types, strawberries are also classified by the time of harvest (harvested in June--June bearing, harvested year around-- everbearing, and the day neutral harvest season), with the largest fruits from the June-bearing varieties.

When the scent of the first strawberries hits you from the nearby street market, Nature lets you know that Spring has finally taken root, and with strawberries, she gives us red kisses as an introduction to summer. Everyone looks forward to strawberries. Both children and adults rush to buy these red, luscious and juicy fruits and enjoy their sweetness and freshness.

“One must ask children and birds how cherries and strawberries taste.--Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

White strawberry flowers and red fruits bestow nature with the sweet magic wand of romantic and buoyant feelings, mixing on the canvas the light green shades of grass, the young toothed leaves low to the ground, and the green and red ripening fruits. I am always excited when, under the green leaves in the garden, I find the first flush and fragrant strawberry. The berries of sweet temptation,strawberries enchant us with an exhilarating, sweet and thrilling scent, and offer plenty of vitamins (vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin E, folic acid), proteins and minerals (magnesium, potassium, calcium). Strawberries are also beneficial for the nervous system. They calm and strengthen the nerves, and help with insomnia and stress.

The fruity notes with strawberry aromas in perfumery awaken associations of child-like and virgin innocence. Delicious, juicy and seductive, once carefully combined with other ingredients they offer the pleasure of scented droplets leading to joy and spontaneous laughter. The heart-shaped strawberry fruit reminds us of love and the sweet flavor of love's juices. The market offers different scents of strawberry, from a single theme with simple and linear concepts--the fruit cocktails with a prevailing strawberry scent--to exuberant compositions with strawberry balancing resin and woody notes.

The Body Shop offers, besides its body collection, a "Strawberry Perfume Oil." Yves Rocher designed for strawberry-lovers the fragrance "Fraise." Victoria's Secret (Strawberries and Champagne), Avon, Aquolina and many other brands are launching body care collections based on strawberry aromas (body lotions, body creams, soaps, bath).

Escada has already for many years "played" with fruity scents representing each of the four seasons. The summer holiday scent themes are created to remind one of fine fruit cocktails mixed with various exotic flavors. Strawberries from their "gardens" can be found in a strawberry juice with other red fruits, refreshed by floral nuances to lighten the sweetness (Sexy Graffiti and the Ocean Lounge). A similar and slightly heavier note is produced by the combination of strawberry aromas with exotic ylang-ylang, jasmine and lily of the valley, interwoven with pleasant resinous aromas of warm wood, in "Marina de Bourbon Rouge Royal," as well as in the perfume by Hanae Mori (a combination of strawberry, vanilla and exotic flowers).

In a perfect balance between bouncy, fruity flavors, and warm and elegant patchouli essences, the skin is also touched by droplets of caramel, revealing the designers' profound skills. Strawberry is the main feature without which the whole concept of Miss Dior Cherie would not be effective at all. It is impossible to skip this edition as we talk about strawberries, because with this composition Dior, along with Christine Nagel, flirts with the young charming lady. Regardless of their taste and style, enhanced with attractive and modern compositions, the final conveyance is defined by luxurious elements.

For the end I leave suggestions for the admirers of profoundly sophisticated perfumers. Strawberries with almonds, strawberries with caramel and hot resin, with cinnamon and leather accords: Mukhallat by Montale and Ambre a Sade by Nez a Nez!

I was fascinated with Mukhallat when I met him few years ago, with his oriental essence, fruity spirit and gourmand smile. His rich composition emphasizes the strawberry notes over other ingredients thick with oriental confection. The strawberries in this narrative are pink and fresh, reminding me of a firm eraser with a smell and taking me back to my early childhood. However, it is not a childish scent. The soft strawberry tone adds a cooling effect and sophisticatedly wins over the compact whole of vanilla, almond and musk. The high notes of this strawberry warm up elegantly and sing a long-lasting melody on my skin.

Ambre a Sade, the fragrance by Nez a Nez, is a game of contrasts. The strange and mysterious circumstances satisfy the one who is wearing this juxtaposition of strawberries, raspberries, blackberries and wild strawberries with accords of leather, caramel, cinnamon, tonka bean, and patchouli. The most delicious berry jam is here sustained by the sternness of amber, tonka bean and patchouli, and finalized with irresistible caramel and cinnamon spicy cream. Strange and promiscuous, like a forbidden fruit, it captures my undivided attention with its heat and magic.

Perfumes for strawberry lovers in addition to the above-mentioned:

Other fragrances that contain strawberries and wild strawberries can be found in our search for notes.

For all who don't like the smell of strawberries in perfumes and body cosmetics, enjoy the freshly-picked and ripe red fruit in cakes, with whipped cream; enjoy them in a strawberry milk shake, or strawberries with champagne or chocolate. They bring joy and beautify the day.

Cut the strawberry in half and share its delicious "heart" with your loved ones.

Foto - some rights reserved:
rumpleteaser, clairity; Jeff Cubina; sandrina.

Author: Sandra Raičević Petrović
(sandrina_bambina)

Fragrantica Executive Editor, Writer and Designer

sandrina_bambina

Thank you for your kind words:))

*Draga Vjera, koliko znam, za sada niko ne uvozi Montale na područje ex YU, za Srbiju sam sigurna da nema dobavljača. Na žalost!

Apr
21
2010

Vjera