Introduction: It's the perfect season for strawberries. But people have noticed that strawberries are getting bigger and bigger. Have they been treated with hormones?
Feng Xiaoyuan, a researcher at the Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences' Institute of Forestry and Fruit Trees, told reporters that some strawberries are naturally "big." A significant portion of the large strawberries on the market this year are new varieties imported from Japan. Their characteristic is their large size, appearing conical or long-conical, with the heaviest one reaching up to 100 grams.
Shao Yongchun, a researcher at the Qingdao Academy of Agricultural Sciences specializing in strawberry cultivation, pointed out that some growers do use hormones—specifically, expanders—on strawberries. These can increase the fruit's volume, but they also cause the skin to become thinner and more prone to rotting. National regulations permit but do not encourage the use of expanders. "Long-term consumption of strawberries treated with expanders is certainly not good for your health."
Don't buy oddly shaped ones
First, consider the variety. Large strawberries are often conical. If the shape is too strange, be cautious.
Don't buy ones with uneven color
Second, hormone-treated strawberries have uneven coloring and poor luster. Additionally, at the base where the stem is attached, there's a clear distinction between green and red colors.
Don't buy ones with overly red surface seeds
Third, the seeds (like sesame seeds) on the surface of normal strawberries are golden-yellow. If even the seeds are a vibrant red, you should be wary.
Don't buy ones with hollow flesh
Fourth, the flesh of normal strawberries is bright red and rarely hollow. Hormone-treated strawberries can be easily掰 open, have whitish flesh, and contain more hollow spaces.
Don't buy ones that don't smell fragrant
Finally, normal strawberries are very sweet with a uniform sweetness. Hormone-treated strawberries taste bland and have no fragrance.