STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL AT STELLENBOSCH SLOW MARKET ON SATURDAY, 01 OCTOBER

On Saturday, 01 October 2016, strawberry season will officially be celebrated at the Stellenbosch Slow Market where everything from freshly plucked strawberries, strawberry sausages, to strawberry soaps and bath salts as well as strawberry plants will be on sale.

Meet South Africa’s queen of strawberries

Come and meet South Africa’s queen of strawberries - strawberry farmer, Deonette Bourbon-Leftley, who has been growing these ruby red beauties for more than 31 years on her 24 hectare farm in Paarl. She says: “Our strawberries are grown with love and delivered with pride. They are ripened by the sun, and therefore are plump and sweet and last longer.”

Deonette farms with 5 strawberry varieties - Festival, Honour, Virtue, Monterey and Commitment, and ensure that 6 hours after picking the strawberries they are at the market or other clients. “Honour is a big, delicious and plump and a bit firmer than its lovely cousin, Commitment. Festival again is longer in shape and Virtue rounder in shape.  They are all delicious and juicy,” explains Deonette.

What to expect at the Strawberry Festival

Says Dr. Gail Blake, owner of the Stellenbosch Slow Market: “Visitors can expect strawberry cocktails from Dr. Juice, strawberry tea and even strawberry bread from Fine Pastries. Native Chocolates will provide strawberry chocolate delights, and everyone should try our strawberry burgers from Flamed. And of course there will be strawberry fudge, strawberry sushi and even strawberry liqueur from Kaapse Liqueur. Ollie’s Sausages, who never disappoints with a variety of sausages of all types, will also be selling a uniquely created strawberry sausage. And that’s only a hint of what can be expected.”

Five strawberry facts

Strawberries are the first fruit to ripen in spring.

The strawberry is a member of the rose family.

Strawberries are the only fruit that wear their seeds on the outside. On average, there are 200 seeds on each berry.

Strawberries are packed with Vitamin C. Eight strawberries will provide 140 percent of the recommended daily intake of Vitamin C for kids.

Strawberries are believed to help reduce the risk of heart disease and certain cancers. They are low in calories and high in vitamins C, B6, K, fiber, folic acid, potassium and amino acids.

Over and above these, visitors can also look forward to many other culinary delights, refreshments, boutique wines, original art and much more.

There is no entry fee to the market and ample parking is available.

EVENT:                     Strawberry Festival at the Stellenbosch Slow Market

DATE:                       Saturday, 01 October 2016

TIME:                        09h00 to 14h00

VENUE:                    Oude Libertas Estate, Stellenbosch

ADDRESS:              Corner of Oude Libertas Road & Adam Tas Road, Stellenbosch

ENTRANCE:           Free

For more information, visit www.slowmarket.co.za or call +27 21 886 8514.

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