Quote:
Originally Posted by kindlekitten
Too wet?
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I think just too new. Strawberries were introduced about 12 years ago by the Queen in her Royal Agricultural Project about 15k from here, and while they have gotten better and better each year, they still have a long ways to go to catch up with American strawberries.
Strawberry growing was introduced to replace the more popular and traditional cash crop - opium poppies, so that the Hmong and Lahu hill tribe farmers would still have their traditional livelihood from farming, but with a more socially acceptable crop.
Melons (other than watermelon,) also recently introduced, never had the Royal backing that strawberries did. They are grown in the flat lands just north of Bangkok by ordinary Thai farmers, without the benefit of scientific breeding help to improve the flavors.
Fortunately, all the other 'normal' tropical fruits are so incredibly delicious and cheap, we don't mind passing up strawberries, and settling for so-so melons now and then. There is a Fruit Lady who sets up shop right next to the Food Lady downstairs.
(Not My Photo) A large bag of cut-up papaya or pineapple costs about 20 cents. She also has fresh ripe yellow sweet mangos and sour green ones. Same price. Watermelon (which does taste great,) Dragon fruit, mangosteens, Roseapples, and several others, all sitting on a bed of crushed ice. Of course bananas are just about everywhere, even growing in people's gardens, and along every street.
Stitchawl