Meet Winterstar, the new strawberry

PLANT CITY - In the fields around Plant City, strawberries aren't just strawberries. Over the years, different varieties have had names like Sweet Charlies, Carmine, Radiants, and Festivals.

The name of the newest berry is Winterstar.

"This strawberry has great size, great color, and a really nice flavor," said Vance Whitaker, an assistant professor at the University Of Florida's agricultural station in Wimauma. "That gives it a little bit more of a sweet sensation."

I confirmed that by comparing the taste of Winterstar to the old Radiants berry at Spivey Farms, south of Plant City. The Winterstar definitely tasted sweeter to me.

Whitaker says the new berry has been more than seven years in the making. He and other scientists developed the hybrid berry using attributes from many different strawberry varieties.

To be successful, he says, new varieties must taste good and be manageable for growers.

Vance says the Winterstar blooms early, resists cold weather, stands up to shipping, and stays fresh on store shelves.

Ted Campbell, executive director of the Florida Strawberry Growers Association, says Winterstar is in its final test with about 40,000 plants now bearing fruit in local fields. He expects the Winterstar to go into full commercial production next winter.