Scottish strawberry grower unveils ‘World’s Largest Strawberry Crown’
13th July 2023
Scottish producer Angus Soft Fruits has unveiled the ‘World’s Largest Strawberry Crown’ in celebration of its AVA Magnum berries landing on supermarket shelves as well as King Charles’ inaugural Wimbledon.
Measuring 30 inches in diameter, 31 inches in height and weighing 8kg, the masterpiece was created by food artist Prudence Staite, who is known for her impressive collection of food designs. Containing over 400 AVA Magnum strawberries, the structure took more than 50 hours to craft.
As well as celebrating the Scottish strawberry season, it pays homage to the closing days of His Majesty’s inaugural Wimbledon, the ultimate occasion for a strawberry fit for a King.
The design was inspired by the St Edward’s Crown, which was used in this year’s Coronation. Replicating details of the crown, Prudence used AVA Magnum® berries to replicate the velvet cap and strawberry flowers for the Ermine band.
The variety is part of Angus Soft Fruits’ AVA Berries range and is exclusively grown by a group of growers in the north-east coast of Scotland, based across Perthshire, Fife and Angus. Carefully bred with flavour, appearance, yield and sustainability in mind, the berries feature a perfect heart shape and ruby colouration.
Harnessing the region’s unique microclimate and daylight hours, the variety builds up sugar slowly, resulting in strawberries of exceptional sweetness and quality.
Jill Witheyman, head of marketing at Angus Soft Fruits, commented: “The AVA Magnum represents a true triumph in the world of strawberries, where flavour, sweetness, and quality converge to create an extraordinary sensory experience.
“It felt fitting for us to celebrate His Majesty’s Coronation year and inaugural Wimbledon, where the nation comes together to savour strawberries, with this incredible piece of art. The strawberries will now be skilfully transformed into strawberry jam and gifted to friends of AVA Berries.”
Strawberries are a British favourite fruit with more than 87,000 tons of UK-grown fruit sold every year across the country, reaching their peak during Wimbledon where organisers estimate around two million strawberries are eaten during the championships.
Shoppers can get their hands on Angus Soft Fruit’s AVA Magnum in top UK supermarkets, where they are being sold as part of premium lines, including M&S Red Diamond, Aldi’s Specially Selected, Sainsburys’ Taste the Difference, ASDA’s Extra Special and in Costco as AVA Berries.
