Coöperatie Hoogstraten is located in the north of Belgium and is known for selling more than 30 million kg of strawberries per year, all under the trusted Hoogstraten label. Our growers come mainly from the Hoogstraten region, but also from just across the border in the Netherlands. In addition, a number of producers from the Waasland region (including Beveren, Haasdonk, Melsele) also market their strawberries through Coöperatie Hoogstraten. What all these strawberries have in common is that they are grown with care according to the strict quality standards of the Hoogstraten quality mark. This way, as a consumer, you are always assured of fresh, top-quality strawberries.
Hoogstraten Strawberries are not sold as organic. However, this does not mean that our growers do not make every effort to produce as organically as possible. To achieve this, they apply the principles of integrated pest management (IPM). This means they opt for prevention, monitoring, and observation, and only intervene with crop protection products where and when necessary. They initially choose natural predators, for example, predatory mites that eliminate harmful insects. Despite all the good care, no crop is immune to pests, diseases, or weeds. When determining the appropriate treatment, the grower will combine various techniques into one complete approach, precisely what is needed to guarantee the quality of the fruit and limit ecological and economic damage.
That depends on the grower and the season. Strawberries are available all year round. The cultivation types alternate: illuminated winter cultivation, heated greenhouses, plastic tunnels, open air... But taste and quality remain a constant priority.
There are various strawberry varieties. The color and flavor nuances of the strawberries differ from variety to variety, but they are always shiny red, intact, juicy, and their appearance alone makes your mouth water! In collaboration with the Hoogstraten Trial Centre, continuous investments are made in research and development, so that Coöperatie Hoogstraten and its growers can select the best varieties that meet the high quality requirements. The growers can also visit the trial center for advice and training on varieties and cultivation methods, so that they can guarantee top quality all year round.
If you don't want to use the strawberries immediately, remove them from their containers and place them in a colander. This allows air to circulate around them. Then, place the colander in the vegetable drawer of the refrigerator. Another option is to spread the strawberries out on kitchen paper and store them in the refrigerator that way. In both cases, they will keep for another two to three days. Tip: remove the strawberries from the refrigerator half an hour before use so that they come to room temperature. This way you can enjoy the optimal taste and smell and have the best taste experience!
You can also freeze strawberries, but only if you want to make jam, syrup, or coulis from them. Defrosted strawberries lose their beautiful color, texture, and appearance.
From summer to winter: Hoogstraten Strawberries are available 365 days a year. This is because different cultivation types alternate throughout the year: illuminated winter cultivation, heated greenhouses, plastic tunnels, open air... Regardless of the cultivation method, taste and quality remain consistently high. This allows you to enjoy juicy and flavorful strawberries all year round. Nevertheless, there are a few peak months associated with these fruits. Strawberries are available in large quantities from April to June.
The crown has a bitter taste like spinach, a surprising contrast to the sweet fruit itself! The world-renowned pastry chef with a Michelin star, Roger van Damme, advocates eating the crown. He says: "Just leave the crown on there!"
Hoogstraten Strawberries are best enjoyed as purely as possible. Adding sugar is not necessary: the fruits are already sweet and flavorful enough! When the strawberry hangs on the plant, the sugars sink downwards due to gravity. This makes the tip of the fruit the sweetest. If you eat them from the tip to the crown, the flavors mix best, and you can enjoy a balanced mix of sweet and sour. In addition, you can perfectly serve the strawberries
You can safely eat Hoogstraten strawberries without washing them. Would you still prefer to wash them before consumption? If so, make sure to leave the crown on. Otherwise, the strawberry will absorb water like a sponge and may lose its delicious flavor. What a waste! Furthermore, it is best not to use too much water. Briefly immersing the strawberry in a little water is more than enough to rinse it.
It is often thought that the largest strawberries are always the tastiest and sweetest, but that is not always the case. At the end of a cultivation period, smaller strawberries are regularly harvested that are also very sweet. So, don't just walk past the smaller fruits in the store. For example, they are ideal as a healthy snack for children or perfect for making delicious Hoogstraten jam. Be sure to check out our recipes page for a delicious, yet simple preparation of strawberry jam by none other than Roger van Damme.
Well, this glossy red fruit is rich in vitamin C (49.0 mg/100 g – 61% RDA) and also has a low energy value (36 kcal/100 g). This certainly makes it a healthy snack for diabetes patients. All good for you!
The packaging distinguishes between the different cultivation methods used by our growers (substrate cultivation, open field cultivation and everbearers). Each type is recognizable by its own packaging. The strawberries from substrate cultivation can be recognized by the packaging with an eggplant-colored band, the open field cultivation can be recognized by the packaging with a green band or the packaging with the flowers and bees. Finally, there is the packaging for the everbearers with an ochre-yellow band. In addition to the standard packaging, there is the 'Gold' packaging for the absolute top quality of Hoogstraten Strawberries, which can be recognized by the crown on the punnet.
We guarantee quality.
