Thursday 13 December 2012

Mountain Strawberry for Christmas



We are coming up to our first Christmas in Turkey for 13 years and I'm in a quandary over what kind of tree to put up.  In the past we cut large branches from the pines or dug up one of the seedlings in the garden. This December, after the great clearance, both are in short supply.  At this time of year, nature does provide a beautifully decorated evergreen tree that would be perfect as a Noel decoration. The Strawberry tree (Arbutus Unedo) grows to 10 meters tall but in this part of the world is rarely more than 3 metres high.  Its pale green or white bell-like flowers take a year to mature so are on the tree at the same time as the fruit. Bright yellow when unripe, the fruit turns a vivid red when ready to eat.  I wouldn't cut a whole tree but a few branches in a large vase would look stunning. 



Opinion is divided over whether these fruits are edible or not.  Pliny the Elder called them "unum edo" i.e. you only eat one of them and they are described in Wikipedia as being "mealy and bland" but if you pick them just before they are very ripe, they have quite an exotic taste - a cross between a guava and a nectarine.  When not eaten fresh they are used in Bodrum to make jam, but in Spain and Portugal they are turned into a fiery spirit.  Once ripe, these fruit quickly ferment  and the mountain strawberry has gained the reputation of making the over-consumer drunk.  Hubby and I polished off the berries below but unfortunately experienced no signs of inebriation.  Shame - we'll have to pick a few more next time. 




25 comments:

  1. Beautiful, sunny photos, and how lovely to have that strawberry tree in the garden; I agree a few branches would look lovely - enjoy the sunshine for us!

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    1. They are not quite in the garden - up the hill behind the garden but I've dropped a few over ripe fruit in the garden in the hope a tree will sprout.

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  2. Very pretty trees. We think we saw some growing wild when we were walking near Camlik a few weeks ago. But I wasn't sure that they grew in Turkey. I've never been sure whether they were edible!

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    1. They are quite tasty - i recommend you go walking with a plastic bag in your pocket.

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  3. Flowers and fruit on a Christmas tree, how wonderful! That would look stunning, BtoB.

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    1. I have them in a large vase in front of the fireplace. Looking good.

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  4. Have you set up your own still? Cheaper than Tansas!

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    1. I was tempted - might put a few into the ginger beer to zing that up.

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  5. Absolutely gorgeous! I haven't seen any round here but will be keeping my eyes open. Will make a stunning Christmas 'tree'. Axxx

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    1. I think you must have them . A bear eating from a strawberry tree is the emblem of Madrid - (According to Wiki)

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  6. I remember the liqueur...but can't have had enough for ill effects.
    What was the song...My Love's an Arbutus? Or have I remembered it wrongly?

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    1. Hi Helen - I shall have to kook up this song . Did you enjoy the liqueur?

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  7. What a beautiful tree...never seen one before.

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    1. Unless you come to Turkey in November or December, you won't see it flowering or fruiting. You probably saw it when it was just in leaf.

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    2. Probably true...I'm never in Turkey during those months.
      I showed my husband your pics and he never saw that tree also, but then he grew up in Izmir downtown somewhere. But it is a beautiful tree.
      Thank you for sharing, I always learn something new here about Turkey and your area.

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  8. We have seen those trees on Burgazada and tasted the fruit. It must have been at the right time because it was delicious. The only problem is that you have to compete with the horses who clean off whatever fruit they can reach.

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    1. No horses up where we are. The wild boar like them too.

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  9. I'm surprised I've never seen one of these. I think a few branches in a large vase would be a lovely Christmas tree alternative.

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    1. They are looking good in the fireplace and Jake hasn't tried to eat the berries yet.

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  10. . . it's a perfect seasonal choice - you can even sing an 'Arbutus Carol' around the sprigs - here's the first verse:
    My Love's An Arbutus

    My love's an arbutus
    By the borders of Lene,
    So slender and shapely
    In her girdle of green.
    And I measure the pleasure
    Of her eye's sapphire sheen
    By the blue skies that sparkle
    Through the soft branching screen.

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  11. I just wrote a post about them too and then found that you also did. As yours contain more info, I gave a link at my post to yours.Hope its OK? Love from Datca..

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    1. I love the photos of the mountain strawberries on your post.

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  12. Love that photo of them on the plate! I've seen them around but never really taken them seriously - very interesting!!
    And talking about boar - we're going to a boar dinner tomorrow night!! Do you eat it where you are?

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    1. I'll eat it if someone else is doing the butchering and preparation. Anything bigger than a rabbit is beyond me.

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