Strawberries are making a significant splash across social media platforms in 2025, proving themselves ethereal in everything from food trends to beauty aesthetics. The classic strawberry shortcake found new life on TikTok with users sharing creative twists on this beloved dessert.
From deconstructed versions to innovative presentations, the simple strawberry shortcake has a whole “new do” and has inspired both home bakers and professional chefs to experiment and share. This surge in popularity has led many restaurants to feature strawberry shortcake-inspired dishes and capitalize on its viral appeal, driving would-be clients into their businesses.
Cosmopolitan Magazine published an article by Mary Honkus in March that went so far as to call strawberry fragrance the new “it girl,” and the Guardian noted that single strawberries imported from Japan were being sold at $20 each at a luxury retail store. Even my children cannot wait to race to the garden after they get home to see if any are ripe. So what is the science behind why we love this fruit?
According to an article on “The Science Behind Strawberries and Brain Health” from the USA Regenerative Agriculture Alliance, the answer is quite scientific and could be totally driven by our sub-conscious armor for what sometimes seems like the tough world we live in. Here is a snippet of the scientific reasons posted on their website:
“Strawberries are rich in many nutrients and bioactive compounds that can benefit your brain health. Some of the most important ones are:
Vitamin C: Strawberries are an excellent source of vitamin C, which is essential for the synthesis of neurotransmitters, the chemical messengers in the brain. Vitamin C also protects the brain from oxidative stress and inflammation, which can damage the brain cells and impair their function.
Anthocyanins: Strawberries are one of the best sources of anthocyanins, the pigments that give them their red color. Anthocyanins are powerful antioxidants that can cross the blood-brain barrier and protect the brain from oxidative stress and inflammation. Anthocyanins also modulate the activity of various enzymes and receptors in the brain, which can affect memory, learning and mood.”
To everyone out there that has a reason to feel like John Lennon in the song of the same trending subject — nostalgic of youthful innocence yet accepting of complex adult feelings — flock to the nearest garden or farmer’s market to get your brain boost soon. You might even catch a glimpse of the Beatles’ carefree, dream-like daze with this delicious strawberry recipe called Go Fly a Kite, originally from Michael Harvey at Law Bird in Columbus, Ohio, and published in Imbibe Magazine in June 2021. The aperitif called génépy was new to me but available at Binnys, and the bitters were worth my purchase via Amazon. Cheers to happy picking, vigorous shaking and kite flying very soon.
Go fly a kite
By Michael Harvey, Law Bird, Columbus, Ohio
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 oz. London dry gin
- 3/4 oz. fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 oz. strawberry syrup
- 1/2 oz. génépy
- 10 drops Bittermens Orange Cream Citrate
Preparation
- Add all of the ingredients to a shaker, add ice and then shake to combine.
- Strain into a glass, and garnish.
Strawberry syrup
- Combine 2 cups of quartered strawberries, 1 cup of water and 1 cup of sugar in a saucepan over medium-high heat; stir to dissolve.
- Cook the mixture on a low boil for approximately 10 minutes. Then reduce the heat, and let simmer for an additional 15 minutes. Remove the syrup from heat, and allow to cool.
- Then strain well (using multiple layers of cheesecloth) into an airtight container, and store refrigerated for up to 1 week.
- If preparing the syrup via sous vide, add 500 grams of strawberries, 500 grams of sugar and 500 grams of water to an airtight bag and cook at 57.2 degrees Celsius for 90 minutes. Afterward, chill the mixture in an ice bath for 30 minutes; then strain and store the syrup.
About
Lincoln Land Community College offers credit programs in Culinary Arts, Hospitality Management and Baking/Pastry, and non-credit cooking and food classes through LLCC Community Education.
Cooking or food questions? Email epicuriosity101@llcc.edu.