Study Buddy (Explorer): A beginner’s guide to Korean strawberries
Each week, this page presents a light article with questions to test your comprehension
A much-loved winter and spring fruit, Korean strawberries are having their time in the limelight. Photo: Getty ImagesContent provided by British Council
Read the following text, and answer questions 1-9 below:
[1] Strawberries are the newest must-have souvenir for visitors to Seoul. At the city’s markets, crowds of tourists line up for the fruit. Once a hidden gem for street food lovers craving tteokbokki rice cakes and hotteok – a type of Korean sweet pancake – Mangwon Market is now having a berry sweet moment as travellers scoop up bright-red boxes of South Korea’s juiciest spring treat.
[2] For Koreans, strawberries have long been the most coveted fruit in winter and spring, known for their juicy sweetness and delicate texture. In recent years, however, their fame has ripened beyond borders. “The love for strawberries is a recent phenomenon,” said a fruit seller. “And most [customers] are Asian tourists.”
[3] According to Statistics Korea, strawberry exports jumped to US$69 million (HK$535 million) in 2024, making them the country’s third most exported fresh agricultural product after paprika and pears. Demand is especially strong in Southeast Asia, particularly Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia. In 2022, one Korean newspaper even reported chartered flights were being used to fly strawberries to Hong Kong.
[4] What makes them different?
Unlike other strawberries, most Korean varieties are smaller, bright red and sweet. They are best enjoyed fresh, with no added sugar or cream. Their short shelf life and soft texture are precisely why they are such a sought-after delicacy among tourists – the sweetness is fleeting and best experienced fresh.
[5] Experts say Korean strawberries owe their exceptional sweetness to greenhouse techniques, such as when farmers grow strawberries hydroponically – without soil – which enables precise control of temperature, humidity and nutrients. When strawberries are cultivated in open fields, there is more texture and sweetness variation, depending on the season, weather and soil.
[6] How to pick, wash and store
At a supermarket, look for heart-shaped, evenly red and glossy berries. The stems should be fresh and green, not dried out. If the flesh is red all the way to the top, it means the fruit is fully ripe.
[7] Strawberries are delicate and prone to softening and mould, so they are often treated with antifungal agents. To clean them, soak them briefly in water with stems still attached, then rinse under running water for about 30 seconds. Because pesticide residues can linger near the stem, it is best to remove the stem just before eating.
[8] These precious, sweet berries are also sensitive to humidity. Airtight containers can trap moisture and cause the fruit to go mushy quickly. At room temperature, they only keep for about a day, so it is best to consume them shortly after purchase.
[9] Instead of using plastic bags, store them in breathable containers like boxes or baskets and refrigerate at temperatures between one and five degrees Celsius. Avoid keeping them for more than a week.
Source: The Korea Times, April 19
Questions
1. Based on paragraph 1, what can be found in Mangwon Market?
A. sweet pancakes
B. rice cakes
C. strawberries
D. all of the above
2. Why do people in South Korea enjoy eating strawberries, according to paragraph 2?
3. In paragraph 3, what was the top fresh South Korean agricultural product sold to other countries in 2024?
4. Find a word in paragraph 4 that refers to something “wanted by many people”.
5. According to paragraph 5, the reason Korean strawberries are very sweet is because …
A. they are grown in very sweet soil.
B. they are grown outside in an open field.
C. they are grown using special greenhouse methods.
D. they are picked when they are not yet ripe.
6. In paragraph 6, how can you tell if a strawberry is fully ripe?
7. Decide whether the following statements according to paragraphs 6 and 7 are True, False or the information is Not Given. Fill in ONE circle only for each statement. (4 marks)
(i) It is best to eat strawberries together with their stems.
(ii) Soaking strawberries in salt water is a more effective way to remove pesticides than just water.
(iii) Farmers often put special chemicals on strawberries to stop mould from growing on them.
(iv) Strawberries should be soaked overnight before eating.
8. Based on paragraph 8, is storing strawberries in an airtight container a good idea? Why or why not? (2 marks)
9. Based on your understanding of paragraph 9, the best place to keep strawberries is …
A. in a basket in the refrigerator.
B. in a box at room temperature.
C. in the freezer in a plastic bag.
D. in a box near other fruits.
Answers
1. D
2. because of the fruit’s juicy sweetness and delicate texture
3. pears
4. sought-after
5. C
6. It is red all the way to the top.
7. (i) F; (ii) NG; (iii) T; (iv) F
8. No, because airtight containers can trap moisture and cause the fruit to go mushy quickly.
9. A