Can you eat the leaves of strawberries? (+5 Ways)
By
Dr Miguel Fernandez-Nino PhD
| Reviewed by
Dr Anny Manrich (PhD)
The contents of this article are fact-based except otherwise stated within the article.
Author bio
Dr Miguel Fernández-Niño is a food scientist with expertise in food biochemistry, Food microbiology, synthetic biology, food waste valorisation, and industrial biotechnology. He writes and reviews content on these topics.
Dr. Fernández-Niño’s Highlights:
- Colombian scientist, with a Ph.D. in Biochemical Engineering from the Jacobs University Bremen (Germany).
- Alexander von Humboldt Postdoctoral Fellow at the Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry in Halle (Germany).
- Expertise in using multi-omics approaches (e.g., metabolomics, metagenomics, and metatranscriptomics) to re-engineer products and processes of relevance for the food industry.
- Expertise in designing microorganisms (microbial biofactories and starter cultures) to produce value-added products and food waste valorisation.
“My professional goal is to contribute to the education and research in Food Engineering and Food Biotechnology. The major incentive of my career is to contribute to the diffusion of scientific knowledge in society, thus promoting rational thinking and evidence-based decision-making”- Dr. Fernández-Niño’s, PhD.
Professional Experience:
Dr Fernández-Niño works as an Alexander von Humboldt Postdoctoral Fellow, at the Leibniz Institute of Plant Biochemistry, in Halle (Germany). He leads a project that aims to improve fine-flavour cocoa bean fermentation for local farmers in Colombia through controlled fermentation systems.
Previously, Dr Fernández-Niño worked as a Postdoctoral Fellow on the bio-catalytic synthesis of isoferulic acid (BMBF project) in the same institution.
Dr Fernández-Niño also worked as a Postdoctoral researcher at the Department of Chemical and Food Engineering at Los Andes University in Colombia, working on the development of a platform to produce novel aroma precursor compounds and high value-added products from analysis of cocoa fermentation.
In addition, Dr. Fernández-Niño worked on the assembly of a platform for heterologous polyphenols production in E. coli from analysis of cacao fermentation pathways, in the same institution.
Dr. Fernández-Niño has been an occasional scientific adviser of Casa Luker S.A. (leader in the Colombian chocolate market), working on projects related to the post-harvesting of fine-flavour cocoa. He also worked as instructor and coordinator of the lab course General Biochemistry and Molecular Biology II Lab (Course No. CH02-520121) at Jacobs University Bremen (Germany) and as a Resident Associate in the same institution.
Finally, Dr Miguel Fernández-Niño has experience as Part-Time Assistant Professor, Occasional Professor, and Master Teaching Assistant.
Education:
- 2009 B.Sc. Biologist at Universidad Nacional de Colombia
- 2012 Master in Science – Biochemistry (Thesis “magna cum laude”) at Universidad Nacional de Colombia
- 2017 PhD in Biochemical Engineering at Jacobs University Bremen-Germany
The main publications of Dr Miguel Fernández-Niño are:
Fabio Herrera-Rocha, Miguel Fernández-Niño*, Mónica P. Cala, Jorge Duitama, Andrés Fernando González Barrios (2023) Omics approaches to understand cocoa processing and chocolate flavor development: A review. Food Research International. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodres.2023.112555
Fernández-Niño Miguel* and Burgos-Toro Daniela (2022) Engineering microbial biofactories for a sustainable future. Chapter edited by Catalina Correa & Adriana Suarez-Gonzalez in the book: Genomics and the Global Bioeconomy -1st Edition-. ISBN 9780323916011. Publisher: ELSEVIER: https://www.elsevier.com/books/genomics-and-the-global-bioeconomy/patrinos/978-0-323-91601-1
Fabio Herrera-Rocha, Mónica P. Cala, Ana Maria León-Inga, Jenny Lorena Aguirre Mejía, Claudia M. Rodríguez-López, Sergio Leonardo Florez, María José Chica, Héctor Hugo Olarte, Jorge Duitama, Andrés Fernando González Barrios, Miguel Fernández-Niño* (2022) Lipidomic profiling of bioactive lipids during spontaneous fermentations of fine-flavor cocoa. Food Chemistry. Volume 397. 133845, ISSN 0308-8146. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2022.133845.
Díaz-Bustamante ML, Fernández-Niño M, Reyes LH and Alvarez Solano OA (2022) Multiscale Approach to Dairy Products Design. Front. Chem. Eng. 4:830314. doi: https://doi.org/10.3389/fceng.2022.830314.
Ramón E. Jaimez*, Luigy Barragan, Miguel Fernández-Niño*, Ludger A. Wessjohann, George Cedeño-Garcia, Ignacio Sotomayor, Francisco Arteaga, (2022): Theobroma cacao L. cultivar CCN 51: A comprehensive review on origin, genetics, sensory properties, production dynamics, and physiological aspects. PeerJ 10:e12676 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.12676.
Fabio Herrera‑Rocha, Mónica P. Cala, Jenny Lorena Aguirre Mejía, Claudia M. Rodríguez‑López, María José Chica, Héctor Hugo Olarte, Miguel Fernández‑Niño* & Andrés Fernando Gonzalez Barrios*. (2021): Dissecting fine‑flavor cocoa bean fermentation through metabolomics analysis to break down the current metabolic paradigm. Scientific Reports 11(21904) DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-01427-8.
Fernández-Niño, M., Rodríguez-Cubillos, MJ., Herrera-Rocha, F., Anzola, JM., Cepeda-Hernández, ML., Aguirre, L., Chica, MJ., Olarte, HH., Rodríguez, CM., Calderón, D., Ramírez-Rojas, A., Del Portillo, P., Restrepo, S., González Barrios, A.* (2021): Dissecting on-farm industrial fermentations of fine-flavour cocoa through metagenomic analysis. Scientific Reports 11(8638) DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-88048-3.
Buitrago Mora, HM., Arango Piñeros, M., Espinosa Moreno, D., Restrepo, S., Cardona Jaramillo, JEC., Álvarez Solano, OA., Fernandez-Niño, M., González Barrios, A.* (2019): Multiscale design of a dairy beverage model composed of Candida utilis single cell protein supplemented with oleic acid. Journal of Dairy Science. 102(11) 9749-9762 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3168/jds.2019-16729.
Fernández-Niño, M., Giraldo, D., Gomez-Porras, JL., Dreyer, I., González Barrios, A., Arevalo-Ferro, C.* (2017): A synthetic multi-cellular network of coupled self-sustained oscillators. PLOS ONE 12(6): e0180155 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0180155.
Fernández-Niño, M., Marquina, M. Swinnen, S.,Rodríguez-Porrata, B., Nevoigt, E.*, Ariño, J. (2015):The Cytosolic pH of Individual Saccharomyces cerevisiae Cells Is a Key Factor in Acetic Acid Tolerance. Appl Environ Microbiol 81(22): 7813-7821 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1128/AEM.02313-15.
Swinnen, S., Fernández-Niño, M., González-Ramos, D., van Maris, AJ., Nevoigt, E.* (2014): The fraction of cells that resume growth after acetic acid addition is a strain-dependent parameter of acetic acid tolerance in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. FEMS Yeast Res 14(4): 642-653 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/1567-1364.12151.
Conference appearances and other speaking engagements
Selected courses delivered:
Course: Current technologies in the production of chocolates. (20 hours course). Invited as professor by the Department of Chemical and Food Engineering / Faculty of Engineering at Los Andes University-Colombia. July (2021).
Course: Design and assembly of microorganisms for the biomedical industry (20 horas course). Invited as professor by the School of Engineering and Science- Instituto Tecnologico de Monterrey (México). January 15-17 (2019)
Selected oral presentations and conferences:
Conference: Dissecting fine-flavour cocoa bean fermentation through multi-omics approaches. Speaker invited by the Organic Chemistry Department at The University of Buenos Aires -Argentina. Sep. 07 (2022).
Conference: Theobroma cacao L. cultivar CCN 51. Association of Producers of Fine Cocoa and Aroma (APROCAFA), Ecuador. March 15 (2022).
Conference: Biology of probiotics and prebiotics. Speaker invited by the Chemical and Food Engineer Department at Los Andes University-Colombia. June 27 (2020).
Conference: Pandemic food revolution. Speaker invited by the Chemical and Food Engineer Department at Los Andes University-Colombia. May 5 (2020).
Conference: Biochemistry and microbiology of cocoa fermentation. Speaker invited to the elective course: cocoa and Chocolate, organized by Casa Luker and the Department of Chemical Engineering at Los Andes University-Colombia. February 5 and 7 (2019)
Oral presentation: Lipidomic profiling of bioactive lipids during spontaneous fermentation of fine-flavour cocoa. Metabolomics 2022. Valencia, Spain. June 19-23 (2022).
Oral presentation: Exploration of Saccharomyces cerevisiae intra-species diversity for the identification of novel genetic determinants for acetic acid tolerance with the help of pooled-segregant RNA sequencing. ISSY33 International Specialized Symposium on Yeasts at University College Cork, Cork, Ireland, June 24-29. (2017)
You can view some of Dr Miguel’s work below and links to his professional profile.
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Miguel-Fernandez-Nino
https://www.linkedin.com/in/miguel-fern%C3%A1ndez-ni%C3%B1o-4a064b168/?locale=en_US
https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=JBb1zuoAAAAJ&hl=en
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8231-7989
https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=56123747300
https://loop.frontiersin.org/people/1296449/overview
https://www.intechopen.com/profiles/158295
Reviewer bio
Dr Anny Manrich PhD is a food Engineer with expertise in Food Technology, Natural Polymers, Edible Films, Enzymes, and Nanotechnology. She writes and reviews content on these topics.
Dr Anny Manrich’s Highlights:
- Research and Technology at the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation
- PhD in Chemical Engineering with a focus on Biochemistry at the Federal University of Sao Carlos/ Brazil and a one-year scholarship at the Technical University of Munich/ Germany
- Bachelor of Food Engineering at the University of Campinas/ Brazil and a one-year scholarship at the Technical University of Munich/ Germany
“To solve a problem, global vision and multifactorial understanding are necessary. Therefore, in addition to expertise, one should seek multidisciplinary thinking connected with science and reality” – Dr Anny Manrich, PhD.
Professional Experience:
Dr Anny Manrich’s Experience Joining the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation, as soon as she completed her doctorate,
Dr Anny Manrich has worked on several projects, including the more than three-year partnership project with BRF, a major food producer in Brazil. As a postdoctoral fellow.
Dr Anny Manrich has also contributed to several business consultancies and research projects of the National Nanotechnology Laboratory System in areas such as food technology, fibres, films and coatings and Nanotechnology; in a very determined way, having a great team relationship, being creative and committed.
Growing concerns about the safe introduction of nanomaterials into today’s life emphasises the need to create regulatory documentation in front of characterising, using and testing them. Dr Anny Manrich worked for two years on a characterization project for nanoscale materials, with the aim of exploring their possible health effects.
Despite not having specific academic training in packaging or polymeric films, Dr Anny Manrich works at the Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation in areas of edible and biodegradable films produced from agricultural waste and in the development of films with greater resistance to water, having articles published in renowned scientific journals, which demonstrates her multidisciplinary understanding and creativity.
In addition, she worked for four years as a consultant to a food company to develop a line of snacks that are healthy and that add functional ingredients, physiologically active compounds that bring health benefits, made from fruits and vegetables, enabling diet improvement, disease prevention and reduction of nutritional deficiencies.
Dr Anny Manrich participated as a member of the examination board for two Master’s exams and one PhD exam at the Department of Chemical Engineering of the Federal University of São Carlos.
Education:
- 2001 Bachelor in Food Engineering at the State University of Campinas, Brazil
- 1999 One year scholarship at the Technical University of Munich
- 2004 Master in Chemical Engineering at the Federal University of São Carlos, Brazil
- 2012 PhD in Chemical Engineering at the Federal University of São Carlos, Brazil
- 2010 One year scholarship at the Technical University of Munich
The main publications of Dr. Anny Manrich are:
Articles
Manrich, A., Moreira, F. K., Otoni, C. G., Lorevice, M. V., Martins, M. A., & Mattoso, L. H. (2017). Hydrophobic edible films made up of tomato cutin and pectin. Carbohydrate Polymers, 164, 83-91.
Mendes, J. F., Norcino, L. B., Martins, H. H. A., Manrich, A., Otoni, C. G., Carvalho, E. E. N., … & Mattoso, L. H. C. (2020). Correlating emulsion characteristics with the properties of active starch films loaded with lemongrass essential oil. Food Hydrocolloids, 100, 105428.
Norcino, L. B., Mendes, J. F., Natarelli, C. V. L., Manrich, A., Oliveira, J. E., & Mattoso, L. H. C. (2020). Pectin films loaded with copaiba oil nanoemulsions for potential use as bio-based active packaging. Food Hydrocolloids, 106, 105862.
Manrich, Anny, et al. Immobilization of trypsin on chitosan gels: Use of different activation protocols and comparison with other supports. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 43.1 (2008): 54-61.
Manrich, Anny; Komesu, Andrea ; Adriano, Wellington Sabino; Tardioli, Paulo Waldir ; Giordano, Raquel Lima Camargo . Immobilization and Stabilization of Xylanase by Multipoint Covalent Attachment on Agarose and on Chitosan Supports. Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology, v. 161, p. 455-467, 2010.
Mendes, J. F., Martins, J. T., Manrich, A., Neto, A. S., Pinheiro, A. C. M., Mattoso, L. H. C., & Martins, M. A. (2019). Development and physical-chemical properties of pectin film reinforced with spent coffee grounds by continuous casting. Carbohydrate polymers, 210, 92-99..
Milessi, T. S., Kopp, W., Rojas, M. J., Manrich, A., Baptista-Neto, A., Tardioli, P. W., … & Giordano, R. L. (2016). Immobilization and stabilization of an endoxylanase from Bacillus subtilis (XynA) for xylooligosaccharides (XOs) production. Catalysis Today, 259, 130-139.
Mendes, J. F., Norcino, L. B., Manrich, A., Pinheiro, A. C. M., Oliveira, J. E., & Mattoso, L. H. C. (2020). Development, physical‐chemical properties, and photodegradation of pectin film reinforced with malt bagasse fibers by continuous casting. Journal of Applied Polymer Science, 137(39), 49178.
Mendes, J. F., Martins, J. T., Manrich, A., Luchesi, B. R., Dantas, A. P. S., Vanderlei, R. M., … & Martins, M. A. (2021). Thermo-physical and mechanical characteristics of composites based on high-density polyethylene (HDPE) e spent coffee grounds (SCG). Journal of Polymers and the Environment, 29, 2888-2900..
Mendes, J. F., Norcino, L. B., Martins, H. H., Manrich, A., Otoni, C. G., Carvalho, E. E. N., … & Mattoso, L. H. C. (2021). Development of quaternary nanocomposites made up of cassava starch, cocoa butter, lemongrass essential oil nanoemulsion, and brewery spent grain fibers. Journal of Food Science, 86(5), 1979-1996.
Manrich, A., Martins, M. A., & Mattoso, L. H. C. (2021). Manufacture and performance of peanut skin cellulose nanocrystals. Scientia Agricola, 79.
Nascimento, V. M., Manrich, A., Tardioli, P. W., de Campos Giordano, R., de Moraes Rocha, G. J., & Giordano, R. D. L. C. (2016). Alkaline pretreatment for practicable production of ethanol and xylooligosaccharides. Bioethanol, 2(1)..
Manrich, Anny, de Oliveira, J. E., Martins, M. A., & Mattoso, L. H. C. Physicochemical and Thermal Characterization of the Spirulina platensis. J. Agric. Sci. Technol. B, v. 10, p. 298-307, 2020.
Book Chapter
Terra, I. A. A., Aoki, P. H., Delezuk, J. A. D. M., Martins, M. A., Manrich, A., Silva, M. J., … & Miranda, P. B. (2022). Técnicas de Caracterização de Polímeros. Nanotecnologia Aplicada a Polímeros, 614.
Conference Papers
Ferreira, L. F., Luvizaro, L. B., Manrich, A., Martins, M. A., Júnior, M. G., & Dias, M. V. (2017). Comparação da estabilidade de suspensões poliméricas de amido/tocoferol e quitosana/tocoferol. In: CONGRESSO BRASILEIRO DE POLÍMEROS, 14., 2017, Águas de Lindóia, SP.
Manrich, A., Hubinger, S. Z., & Paris, E. C. (2017). Citotoxicidade causada por nanomateriais: avaliação do micronúcleo. In: WORKSHOP DA REDE DE NANOTECNOLOGIA APLICADA AO AGRONEGÓCIO, 9., 2017, São Carlos. Anais… São Carlos: Embrapa Instrumentação, 2017. p. 655-658.
Manrich, Anny, et al. Immobilization and Stabilization of Xylanase by multipoint covalent attachment on Glyoxyl Agarose Support. The 31st Symposium on Biotechnology for Fuels and Chemicals. 2009.
Manrich, Anny, et al. Application of immobilized xylanase on hydrolysis of soluble wood hemicelluloses after using microwave and organosolv pre-treatments. The 32nd Symposium on Biotechnology for Fuels and Chemicals. 2010.
You can view some of Dr Anny’s work below and links to her professional profile.
Research Gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Anny-Manrich-2
Scopus: https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=23103497100
Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=Ea9qpr0AAAAJ
Linkedin: https://br.linkedin.com/in/anny-manrich-20693129
In this article, we will answer the question “Can you eat the leaves of strawberries?”. Moreover, we will discuss the nutritional benefits and the health risks associated with eating strawberry leaves. Finally, we will also discuss how to use the leaves of strawberry in cooking or culinary preparations.
Can you eat the leaves of strawberries?
Yes, strawberry leaves can be eaten. Strawberry leaves are not toxic and can be consumed in small quantities without any major health risks (1-2).
While strawberry leaves are generally considered safe to consume, they are not commonly eaten. However, some cultures have traditional uses for strawberry leaves in herbal teas or infusions (3).
It is important to note that the taste and texture of strawberry leaves differ from the fruit, so they may not be as palatable to some individuals. However, there are surprising ways to use them up in delicious ways.
Strawberry leaves can be prepared in the following ways to reap their benefits.
- Toss the strawberry leaves in your salsa or salad bowls.
- It can be used to make Italian desserts with whipped ricotta cheese.
- Add them in soup.
- Toss the strawberry tops with lettuce, avocado, bean sprouts, cooked prawns, and lime juice dressing and serve as a main dish.
As with any food, it is always a good idea to consult with a healthcare professional or nutritionist if you have specific dietary concerns or health conditions prior to consuming them in large quantities.
What are the nutritional benefits of strawberry leaves?
While strawberry leaves are not as commonly consumed as the fruit itself, they do offer some nutritional benefits. Here, we summarize some potential nutritional components found in strawberry leaves:
- Vitamins: Strawberry leaves contain various vitamins, including vitamin C, which is an antioxidant that helps boost the immune system and promote collagen production. They also contain small amounts of vitamin A and vitamin K (2).
- Minerals: Strawberry leaves may contain minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium, which are essential for maintaining healthy bones, muscles, and nerve function (4).
- Antioxidants: Like the fruit, strawberry leaves contain antioxidants, such as flavonoids and phenolic compounds, which help protect the body against oxidative stress and reduce the risk of chronic diseases (3).
- Tannins: Strawberry leaves may contain tannins, which are natural compounds with astringent properties. Tannins have been associated with potential anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects (1).
You should note that the nutritional composition of strawberry leaves can vary depending on factors such as the variety of the plant, growing conditions, and harvesting methods.
Are there any health risks associated with eating strawberry leaves?
Strawberry leaves pose minimal health risks and can be consumed safely in small quantities.
While they are generally considered edible, individuals with allergies to plants in the Rosaceae family should exercise caution. Allergic reactions may occur, resulting in skin irritation, itching, or digestive discomfort (5).
Thoroughly washing the leaves before use is essential to remove any dirt or potential contaminants. So, you should always clean the leaves properly prior to consumption following the recommended hygiene rules (6).
How can strawberry leaves be used in cooking or culinary preparations?
Strawberry leaves, also known as strawberry tops, can be used in various culinary preparations to add flavor and a unique twist to dishes. Here, we summarize some popular ways to incorporate strawberry leaves into cooking:
- Infuse water: Toss the strawberry tops or leaves into a pitcher of water and let it sit for at least an hour. This infused water can provide a refreshing and subtly fruity taste, offering a spa-like experience at home.
- Infuse vinegar: Enhance your vinegar by infusing it with strawberry tops. Place the leaves in a bottle of vinegar, such as white wine, red wine, or balsamic vinegar, and let it sit for at least an hour.
The resulting strawberry-infused vinegar can be used in salad dressings, sauces, or drizzled over dishes for a unique flavor profile.
- Infuse booze: For a fruity twist to your cocktails, submerge strawberry tops in your preferred spirit, such as vodka, rum, or gin, and let it infuse for at least two days.
The strawberry-infused booze can be used to create delicious cocktails like Strawberry Gin Smash or Strawberry Mojito.
- Flavor kombucha: Add a rich strawberry scent to homemade kombucha by incorporating strawberry tops during the fermentation process. This can infuse the kombucha with a delightful strawberry flavor.
- Blend into smoothies: Instead of trimming the tops, include whole strawberries, including the leaves, in your smoothie. This is particularly effective when blending with greens like kale or spinach, providing an extra boost of nutritional value.
We hope that you enjoy and try these creative uses to make the most of your strawberry leaves, enhancing the taste and aroma of your beverages and dishes!
Conclusion:
In this article, we answered the question “Can you eat the leaves of strawberries?”. Moreover, we discussed the nutritional benefits and the health risks associated with eating strawberry leaves. Finally, we also discussed how to use the leaves of strawberry in cooking or culinary preparations.
References:
1. Kårlund A, Salminen JP, Koskinen P, Ahern JR, Karonen M, Tiilikkala K, et al. Polyphenols in strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) leaves induced by plant activators. J Agric Food Chem [Internet]. 2014 May 21 [cited 2023 Jun 18];62(20):4592–600. Available from: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/jf405589f
2. Šic Žlabur J, Bogdanovi´cbogdanovi´c S, Vo´ca SV, Skendrovi´c M, Babojeli´cbabojeli´c S, Fabiani R, et al. Biological Potential of Fruit and Leaves of Strawberry Tree (Arbutus unedo L.) from Croatia. Mol 2020, Vol 25, Page 5102 [Internet]. 2020 Nov 3 [cited 2023 Jun 18];25(21):5102. Available from: https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/25/21/5102
3. Buricova L, Andjelkovic M, Cermakova A, Reblova Z, Jurcek O, Kolehmainen E, et al. Antioxidant capacities and antioxidants of strawberry, blackberry and raspberry leaves. Czech J Food Sci [Internet]. 2011 [cited 2023 Jun 18];29(2):181–9. Available from: https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/40546
4. Stanisavljevic M, Gavrilovic-Damjanovic J, Mitrovic O, Mitrovic V. Dynamics and contents of minerals in some strawberry organs and tissues. Acta Hortic [Internet]. 1997 Sep 1 [cited 2023 Jun 18];439:705–8. Available from: https://www.actahort.org/books/439/439_118.htm
5. Costa J, Mafra I. Rosaceae food allergy: a review. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr [Internet]. 2022 [cited 2023 Jun 15]; Available from: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10408398.2022.2045897
6. Beumer RR, Kusumaningrum H. Kitchen hygiene in daily life. Int Biodeterior Biodegradation [Internet]. 2003 Jun 1 [cited 2023 Apr 24];51(4):299–302. Available from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0964830503000416
