Strawberry Full Moon

Photo by Liz Birnbaum, The Curated Feast

In honor of the Strawberry Full Moon, here is a strange Strawberry Fact:

Madame Tallien, a prominent figure at the court of the Emperor Napoleon, reportedly bathed in fresh strawberry juice. She used 22 pounds per basin!

Can’t you imagine bathing in them?! These fruits clearly evoke sensuality with their red, juicy, and seeded exteriors, so they’ve naturally been associated with love and passion. However, I was surprised to learn that they also have represented perfection and righteousness, so much so that medieval stone masons carved strawberry designs on altars and around the tops of pillars in churches and cathedrals!

Here’s to the beauty and complexity of these sweet summer strawberries. Happy strawberry season, everyone!

Strawberries from Live Earth Farm shot for Santa Cruz Farmers Markets. Info from University of Illinois, online.