I just picked these a few minutes ago. Second picking in June already. The chipmunk eats a few of them. I don't have any other variety to compare them to but they taste pretty good. I find them on the small side though.

{{gwi:110076}}

Lychee:

You are on a quest similar to that of Don Quixote, or King Arthur's boys looking for the holy grail, or maybe Ponce looking for the fountain of youth. The perfect strawberry that everyone can agree on is not out there.

Go for size and you usually give up taste. Go for "sweetness" (or lack of acidity), and you also give up taste. Softer berries are usually said to be more flavorful, but they often rot in the patch or suffer from gray mold. Softer berries may be good for fresh eating, but they are not nearly as good for freezing.

In your location I would try Earliglow, or something like Delmarvel or Honeoye. I think Goodground's Tristar is an everbearer, which I usually associate with inferior flavor, but his look pretty good. If you want sweet, add a little sugar, because the "sweeter" berries are nearly always more bland in flavor.

Don Yellman, Great Falls, VA

Flavor is very subjective and I agree with Don that there are trade-offs with any variety. After listening to an extension specialist give a similar flavor profile for Dar Select as Early Glow I bought a few hundred Dar Select plants. Was I ever disappointed... They tasted like melon.

Another variety, Idea was supposed to be the latest ripening--July 4th or later. they actually ripen the same days as Lateglow and although a large berry, they are crunchy. I won't bother planting them again either.

I still have customers swear that Honeyeoye is the sweetest berry ever. It has more tartness in my opinion than any other berry I've grown.. And I like them.

You need to listen to all sources, compare plant literature and then develop your own opinions after you try them. Let your own palate be your guide.

bmoser- problem is i live in nyc- that means my yard is the size of a small postage stamp- that means i can only grow one variety per year- that means it can take me several years to try a handful of varieties!

but definitely- i agree taste is extremely subjective- but then again- 9 out of 10 people would rather eat a plump sausage than a plump carrot-

i planted cavendish last year coz miller's nursery went on how good it was- to be honest- it tasted very similar to how last's year crop- sparkle- tasted- maybe moderately tastier.

bmozer- what's your fave strawberry - flavorwise

FOR WHAT ITS WORTH I had given up on ever tasting really good strawberries like the ones I remember from childhood. (I am o..l...d). In Sweden last Summer (end of July into August) I found Malwina strawberries that were (in my opinion) the sweetest and best flavored berries I have ever had. I am planning to put in a large bed this spring. Best of luck

I forgot to look back at this thread and want to thank you, Lynn for bumping it.

I have to agree that Early Glow is one of best flavored strawberries but it is small and many just won't grow it because of the size. There are many varieties that have reasonably good flavor. In my childhood we grew a variety- Catskill which seemed very good but try to find them now. Weather has much to do with flavor. It's hard to beat a very ripe warm berry ripened in a hot, dry period.

Mine always taste good here in San Jose. I've tried 6-8 varieties, always in full sun. Mara de Bois is supposed to be very good tasting. I have it and it is a little better than my others but small.