Frequently asked questions

Do you have a question about berries? We’re happy to help. From questions about availability, growing locations, and varieties to storage tips and recipe inspiration, this page covers general questions about berries as well as product-specific queries.

General

Berries are a collective term for various types of fruit that are generally small in size and soft in texture. Berries are also known as soft fruit and are perfect as an easy snack, as they don’t need to be peeled or cut. Strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, and various other berries such as blueberries, redcurrants, or blackcurrants all fall into the berries category.

Products classified as berries are very healthy. Each type has its own nutritional value and health benefits. In general, berries are low in calories, making them a perfect fit for a healthy lifestyle. Curious to learn more? Read all about the health benefits of soft fruit here.

The quality of berries is best preserved when stored in the fridge. For all our berries, we recommend placing them on a sheet of kitchen paper to absorb any excess moisture. Store them preferably in the vegetable drawer to keep the fruit fresh for longer.

Berries are often eaten fresh as a snack. Their small size, delicious flavour, and good nutritional value make them ideal as a healthy treat. Berries are also commonly eaten at breakfast, added to yoghurt or quark. Our products are also perfect ingredients for a wide range of dishes, such as cakes, desserts, smoothies, salads, and much more. Looking for inspiration? Check out our recipes here.

Strawberries are grown year-round in the Netherlands by Beekers Berries. During the season, we supply as many blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, and redcurrants from our own Dutch farms as possible. When the climate in the Netherlands is less suitable for berry cultivation, we work with trusted growers in other countries.

You can buy our fruit at our PlukExpress – a berry vending machine filled with the freshest strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries. In addition, our berries are available at various greengrocers and online. Curious about all our stockists? Find them here.

Strawberries

Strawberries are a fantastic source of vitamin C and are very low in calories compared to many other fruits, making them ideal for a balanced lifestyle.

Strawberries are delicious on their own but also perfect in yoghurt or quark for breakfast. They add a fresh, fruity touch to a wide variety of dishes. Want to include strawberries in a recipe? Discover all our recipes here.

Flavour and texture vary between varieties. Some are sweeter, some produce larger berries, and some are softer and juicier while others are firmer. More information about our varieties can be found here.

At Beekers Berries, strawberries are available all year round. Thanks to our selection of different varieties, there are always delicious strawberries to enjoy.

Although strawberries taste best fresh, they freeze well. Remove the green tops, cut them into pieces if desired, and store them in an airtight container or freezer bag. They can be kept in the freezer for up to 12 months.

Blueberries

Blueberries fit perfectly into a healthy lifestyle. They are rich in fibre and a source of vitamin K.

Blueberries are perfect to eat as a snack. They also taste delicious – and are convenient – in yoghurt or quark. Their versatile flavour makes them ideal for all sorts of recipes, from sweet baked goods and salads to meat dishes and even drinks. Want to include blueberries in a recipe? Check out all our recipes here.

Blueberries and wild blueberries are often used interchangeably, but they are not the same. They are two different types of berries, each growing in a unique way. Want to know more about the difference? Watch our Behind the Berries video here.

Blueberries are available almost all year round. The Dutch season runs from June to August, but thanks to our collaborations with international growers, we can offer blueberries outside the Dutch season almost year-round.

Fresh blueberries freeze very well. Spread the blueberries on a plate so they touch as little as possible. Place the plate in the freezer for 2–3 hours. Once the blueberries are firm, transfer them to a freezer bag or airtight container. This way, blueberries can be stored in the freezer for up to 12 months.

Raspberries

Raspberries are naturally high in fibre and rich in vitamin C. They are therefore a great addition to a healthy lifestyle.

Raspberries are perfect as a snack. They are easy to take to work or school. Their fresh flavour provides a perfect contrast to richer tastes, making them ideal for recipes with chocolate or cream. Looking for recipe inspiration? View all our raspberry recipes here.

Size and texture can vary between different raspberry varieties. Some are larger and juicier, while others may be smaller and firmer. The flavour can also differ: some varieties are exceptionally sweet, while others have a slightly tart note. All our varieties are carefully selected to ensure we always grow the tastiest raspberries.

The Dutch raspberry season runs from May to October. Outside these months, we source raspberries through close collaboration with trusted growers abroad, so you can enjoy the finest raspberries all year round.

Fresh raspberries can easily be frozen. Spread them out over a tray so they touch each other as little as possible. Place the tray in the freezer for 2–3 hours. Once frozen, transfer the raspberries to a freezer bag or airtight container. Raspberries can be stored in the freezer for up to six months.

Blackberries

Blackberries offer many health benefits. Like all berries, they are rich in fibre and are a source of vitamins C, E, and K – making them perfect for a healthy lifestyle.

Blackberries are delicious to eat on their own but also surprisingly versatile in the kitchen. Add them to yoghurt, quark, or a fresh salad. Want to bake? Blackberries are perfect for tarts, cakes, and other treats. Did you know that fresh blackberries are also ideal for making jam or a flavoursome coulis? Discover all our blackberry recipes and get inspired.

A ripe blackberry has a deep purple, almost black colour. It is firm but not hard, and the cells look full and juicy. When fully ripe, the fruit has a wonderfully sweet flavour.

Beekers Berries blackberries are available all year round. Thanks to close collaboration with international growers, we can provide blackberries throughout the year. Dutch blackberries are grown between late April and November.

Fresh blackberries can be frozen. Spread them over a tray so that the berries touch each other as little as possible. Place the tray in the freezer for 2-3 hours. Once the berries are fully frozen, transfer them to a freezer bag or airtight container. Frozen blackberries can be kept for 8-12 months.

Redcurrants

Redcurrants are naturally high in fibre and low in calories, making them an ideal choice for a healthy lifestyle.

Redcurrants are perfect for enjoying on their own as a snack. We especially love adding them to dishes for a fresh, tangy contrast. For example, top your salad with fresh redcurrants or use them to decorate cakes and pastries. View all recipes here.

At Beekers Berries, we grow several redcurrant varieties. However, there are very few differences between them. Some varieties have larger clusters than others, but otherwise, the redcurrants are very similar.

Beekers Berries redcurrants are available all year round. By storing some of our redcurrants in cold storage, we can offer them throughout the year while maintaining quality and flavour.

Fresh redcurrants can easily be frozen. Spread them over a tray so the berries touch each other as little as possible. Place the tray in the freezer for 2–3 hours. Once the berries are firm, transfer them to a freezer bag or airtight container. Redcurrants can be stored in the freezer for 8–12 months.

Specialties

Each specialty has a delicious, unique flavour and is great to enjoy on its own as a snack. However, specialties are often used in gastronomy to give a dish a distinctive touch. Want to surprise your guests? Be sure to use one of our unique strawberries.

The cultivation of specialties is small-scale – these strawberries are truly niche products. Specialties are only available at certain times of the year in specialist fruit and vegetable shops and select restaurants.

Would you like to try one of our unique strawberries? Our specialties are available in season at various specialist fruit and vegetable shops. At our stockists, you can see which shops sell our specialties. Most specialties are available between April and June.

Want to know more?

Do you have a question that isn’t answered in our frequently asked questions? Please get in touch with us via the contact form, and we’ll be happy to help you as soon as possible.

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Stay up to date with all things berries via Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. From new recipes and fun facts to a look inside our greenhouses – there’s always something to discover. Do you enjoy our berries or are you trying one of our recipes? Share your moment of joy with our strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, or blackberries by tagging us. Use the hashtag  #TasteTheSummer and show us your creation.

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