Fraises Mara des Bois

After traveling quite a bit this summer there is much to share.  Here is the first one:

Mara des Bois was bred by Jaques Marionnet in France over 20 years ago from four old European varieties: Gento, Ostara, Red Gauntlet and Korona.  The varieties were chosen for their unique flavor characteristics and not for the many other reasons that have given us today's big, watery, tasteless, and scentless varieties.  Mainly, they don't ship well or have a high yield potential.  They are small, soft, and beautifully fragrant with the same compound, methyl anthranilate, that perfumes the wild alpine strawberry, fraises des bois.  The balance of sweetness and acidity in the Mara berries is amazing and the texture is like butter across the tongue.  

Every year I am lucky enough to buy several pints of these delicious berries and the Santa Fe farmers market.  If you live in Southern California you will find them at the Santa Monica market.  In fact, I believe the first time I had them was at Lucques in West Hollywood.  It was a revelation.  If you are so inclined to grow your own, plants have recently become easier to obtain in the US.  Mara de Bois is an everbearing variety and will produce fruit throughout the summer,  giving you a whole season of eating.  One couldn't ask for more from something so delicious!