How to distinguish Moc Chau strawberries from Chinese strawberries

To avoid buying counterfeit or low-quality strawberries that could harm your health, remember how to distinguish Moc Chau strawberries from Chinese strawberries.

Currently, strawberries from Moc Chau, Son La are being sold everywhere, from traditional markets to fruit stores and online marketplaces. Because they are sold in so many places, consumers cannot distinguish between Moc Chau strawberries and those from China.

Here are five tips revealed by vendors to help housewives distinguish good strawberries.

In terms of shape

Moc Chau strawberries vary in size , so sellers usually sort them into different categories for sale. The fruits have different shapes, usually wider at the stem and tapering towards the tip.

Chinese strawberries have a deep, dark red color. (Image: Internet)

Strawberries grown in Moc Chau are 90% Japanese varieties , weighing between 10g and 30g.

Chinese strawberries, on the other hand, have elongated fruits with pointed ends, and long, protruding, thick, green stems.

Identifying the firmness and color of strawberries

Moc Chau strawberries are a Japanese variety, so they typically have a moderate firmness and a bright red color .

Chinese strawberries have a deep, dark red color , looking as if they've been dyed, and don't look as fresh and delicious as Moc Chau strawberries.

Moc Chau strawberries have a bright red color. (Photo: Internet)

Taste

Moc Chau strawberries of the Japanese variety have a rich, sweet taste, but with a slight tanginess , and a very subtle, characteristic strawberry aroma.

Chinese strawberries lack the fresh, sweet, and fragrant taste . They are very mushy and have an overly sweet flavor due to being soaked in chemicals.

Chinese strawberries are sweet but have a pungent smell (Image: Internet)

Regarding the fruit pulp

This is a very important characteristic for distinguishing Moc Chau strawberries from those from China.

1. Moc Chau strawberries have light red flesh mixed with white.
2. Chinese strawberries, on the other hand, have a deeper red color and very little white inside.

Storage time

Moc Chau strawberries are typically grown without any preservatives, so they don't last very long. They can be stored at room temperature for 2-3 days, or in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.

In contrast, Chinese strawberries can last 8-10 days without spoiling ; even those sold at street stalls under the sun remain fresh, appealing, and show no signs of deterioration.