Carleen Tobias
From Hankey’s sun-drenched fields to your fridge, here’s why strawberry season has everyone hooked.
Some cities queue for cronuts, others for pumpkin spice lattes. In Nelson Mandela Bay, we queue for… strawberries. Yes, suddenly everyone and their Instagram grid is headed 40 minutes out of PE to Mooihoek Strawberry Farm in Hankey, clutching R70 and the dream of filling a bucket (and their camera roll).
It’s the kind of activity that blurs the line between wholesome family fun and influencer content creation. Wear something cute but comfy, because let’s be honest, you’re not just picking strawberries, you’re picking likes. Between the strawberry rows and the “accidental” candid shots, you’ll find kids tumbling through the play area and parents retreating to the little kiosk for refreshments (or maybe a sanity break).
By midday, the fields are packed, couples on dates, friends in matching outfits, toddlers with berry-stained cheeks. It’s chaotic, it’s charming, and it’s very NMB. Because in a city where we’re constantly chasing the next thing to do, strawberry picking gives us something simple yet irresistible: a bucket full of fruit, a memory worth keeping, and a photo that says “I’m living my best life in Hankey.”
So, why is NMB obsessed with strawberry picking? Maybe it’s not just the sweetness of the fruit. Maybe it’s because, in those sun-drenched rows, we get to harvest something even rarer: a little slice of joy worth sharing; preferably with a filter.
How to Keep Your Strawberries Fresh (or Frozen)
You’ve done the hard work, now don’t let your berries go bad before the photo dump.
To keep them fresh:
- Don’t wash until ready to eat. Moisture makes them spoil faster.
- Store in a breathable container. Line it with a paper towel and keep them in the fridge’s crisper drawer.
- Remove any squishy ones. One bad berry really does spoil the bunch.
To freeze them for smoothies or baking:
- Rinse and pat dry.
- Hull (remove the green tops).
- Spread them out on a tray and freeze until solid.
- Transfer to a zip-lock bag or container.
They’ll keep for up to six months , long enough to remind you of that perfect Hankey afternoon when strawberry season ruled your feed.
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