Strawberry picking

A mere 45 minutes from Johannesburg is Tangaroa Strawberry Farm, which has a rustic charm and truly feels worlds away from the big city. The owner Jan Kruger prides himself on running an organic, all natural strawberry farm. You can actually pick the strawberries straight from the plant and eat them, as nature intended!

The farm doesn't sell their strawberries as they are a much softer variety than what is found in stores but they are the sweetest strawberries you will ever taste (I can vouch for this!) Hint: when you are walking around the farm in search of the sweet treasures, look for the reddest strawberries as they are the most scrumptious!

The farm is also extremely child-friendly with wide open spaces and a jungle gym and offers kids an opportunity to learn more about growing this delicious fruit. Since the strawberries grow very close to the soil, your little ones are at an advantage and will probably find the best ones first.

After spending time picking strawberries, you can relax on the rolling lawns - there are braai facilities or you can bring your own picnic. If you are looking for a pampering experience, ask the farm to prepare a picnic for you and stroll down to the spa for a massage. You can buy the farm's locally produced strawberry jam, sample their delectable strawberry cheesecake or - if you have green fingers - you can buy a strawberry plant of your own. Strawberries are relatively easy to grow and do well in a protected, shaded environment. Mine is currently in a pot, so let's hope by next season I'll have some delicious berries to pick.

Whether you like your strawberries handpicked or store bought it's definitely worth making something yum with this delicious little fruit while they are in season. Try out our food editor Justine Kiggen's delicious cherry and strawberry pie.

Thanks to Dentyne for the experience. We loved sampling the new Dentyne strawberry passion slab gum - its strawb-licious!

Strawberry season is October-November. For more info on Tangaroa click here!