It’s National Strawberry Day, National Kahlua Day and…

February 27

• National Kahlua Day
• National Strawberry Day
• National Polar Bear Day
• National Retro Day

• NATIONAL STRAWBERRY DAY

  We continue with February’s heart-shaped and red theme by observing National Strawberry Day on February 27. These juicy, sweet berries can brighten up any dish and are delicious all on their own.

  There are a few different stories behind the origin of the name. The more widely accepted version is that the berries would drop off the leaves and become “strewn” about the plant. Overtime “strewn-berries” became “strawberries”. There was a time (and some gardeners still do this today) when strawberry beds were mulched with straw, insulating the plants over the winter, keeping weeds at bay during the growing season and making them easier to harvest. Another sweet story tells of English children stringing the berries on grass straws and selling the “straw berries” in their neighborhoods.

  Not only are they delicious, but they are also fragrant. One of the more aromatic fruits, they belong to the rose family.

  Strawberries are grown in nearly every corner of the Earth (if the Earth had corners) except for her most frozen southern and northern reaches. Along with all these possible locations, there are over 600 varieties of strawberries as well.

  An excellent source of Vitamin C, strawberries are also a good source of folic acid, potassium and fiber. At 55 calories and zero fat in 1 cup, these sweet things hit the spot when a snack time is calling!

  HOW TO OBSERVE

  While the best season for strawberries is from late April to August, now might be a good time to scout out strawberry festivals and pick-your-own farms or plan to plant your own strawberry patch. Imagine sitting in your very own patch eating sun-warmed, sweet berries you picked or even grew yourself under clear blue skies.

  BERRY PICKING TIPS:

  • Pick fully ripe berries. Strawberries don’t continue to ripen if picked too early like bananas or pears.
  • Don’t overfill your container. Berries are tender and can bruise easily.
  • Don’t wash the fruit until you are ready to eat. Strawberries are susceptible to mold and washing will speed up spoilage.
  • The best time to pick strawberries is on cool, cloudy days, but if they will be eaten right away, any time is perfect!
  • If you pick more than you can eat before they spoil, strawberries freeze very well. Pluck off the green caps and toss into a freezer bag. Use for smoothies, ice cream or cake toppings.

  You may want to have a fresh bowl of strawberries now, or maybe give one of the following recipes a try:

  Strawberry Pretzel Salad
  Strawberry Spinach Salad
  Easy Strawberry Banana Smoothies
  Easy Fresh Strawberry Pie
  Strawberries and Cream Bread Pudding

  Use #NationalStrawberryDay to post on social media.

• NATIONAL KAHLUA DAY

  February 27th recognizes National Kahlúa Day.  This day was created as a day for those, over the age of 21, to enjoy this creamy, rich alcoholic liqueur.  To celebrate, you may want to use Kahlua, a coffee-flavored rum-based liquor, to flavor your ice cream or another dessert such as cheesecake or cake.  It also tastes great in coffee, hot chocolate, creamy cocktails, as a shot or on the rocks.

  Pedro Domecq began producing Kahlúa in 1936. In 1994, the company merged with Allied Lyons forming Allied Domecq. In 2005, Allied Domecq was partially acquired by Pernod Ricard which merged with the Swedish Vin & Sprit (V & S Group) in March of 2008.

  Kahlúa is made from coffee and rum, so it does contain caffeine.  Kahlúa is found to be used in a few notable cocktails, including the following:

  •  B-52
  •  Baby Guinness
  •  Black Russian
  •  Mudslide
  •  White Russian
  •  Espresso Martini
  •  Caribbean Mudslide

  HOW TO OBSERVE

  Have some Kahlúa (Remember always drink responsibly and never drink and drive) and use #NationalKahluaDay to post on social media.