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Why do they eat Strawberries and Cream for Wimbledon? It is a tradition dating back to the first prestigious tennis tournament in 1887 that has stuck. Sweet fresh strawberries bathed in thick, luscious cream, served with the traditional drink, Pimm’s Cup, a refreshing fruit cup cocktail.

A side view of a glass bowl of whole strawberries with fresh cream with a spoon


For tennis fans, there’s nothing quite like the quintessential pairing of sweet strawberries and cream to herald the arrival of summer and the excitement of Wimbledon. Held during peak British strawberry season in July, the tournament boasts a longstanding tradition of serving the highest quality berries.


Sourced from the finest British growers, these hand-picked Wimbledon strawberries are a guaranteed symphony of sweetness and flavor. 

2 bowls of strawberries and cream with champagne

Strawberries and Cream History


Tradition has it that King George V first introduced strawberries and cream to Wimbledon in the early 1900s. While the exact reason remains unclear, it’s likely a combination of factors. Strawberries were a seasonal fruit perfectly ripe during the tournament, and they may have also been particularly fashionable at the time.

A Wimbledon Tradition


How many strawberries are eaten during Wimbledon?


During the two-week event, attendees consume over 38.4 tons (1.92 million) of strawberries alongside countless liters of cream. Vendors sell over 200,000 portions of strawberries throughout the tournament, ensuring everyone gets a taste of summer. Each serving contains approximately 8 whole strawberries and comes in a clear plastic bowl—an integral part of the Wimbledon experience.

Strawberries viewed from overhead bathed in thick cream

What Cream is Served with Strawberries at Wimbledon?


Traditionally, they use “single cream,” which has a lower fat content compared to double cream, a popular option in the UK. 


Since single cream isn’t readily available in the US, a great substitute is simply heavy whipping cream. Always served in pourable form, never whipped. The thick, cold cream is simply drizzled over the sweet strawberries and eaten that way. It’s the best and only way to enjoy them, so why mess with tradition?

Is the cream sweetened?

No, traditionally the cream isn’t sweetened. The natural sweetness comes from the strawberries, but you can add sugar if you prefer.

How to Hull Strawberries

Hulling strawberries might seem like a simple task, but it can affect the overall presentation of your dish. Here’s how to achieve beautiful, intact strawberries:

  1. Leaf Removal: Start by gently removing the green leaves from the top of the strawberry.
  2. Cone-Shaped Core:  Using a small paring knife, carefully cut a small “V” or cone shape around the white core at the base of the strawberry. This removes the core while preserving the round shape of the berry.
A closeup showing a knife cutting out the hull/stem of a strawberry

So if you’re a tennis fan (or even if you’re not), strawberries and cream are the perfect summer treat.

Enjoy a Wimbledon Style Picnic

In addition to strawberries and cream, they serve an array of delicious and gourmet food that you can enjoy at home. Try my elegant Tea Sandwiches along with Classic English Scones for an afternoon tea feast that is classically British.

Another tradition since 1971 at Wimbledon is the Pimm’s No. 1 Cup Cocktail. Which is also a traditional British summer drink (see pic below), which goes hand-in-hand with strawberries and cream.

Cucumber and orange slices line the sides of a tall cocktail glass

Official drink of Wimbledon

You might think champagne pairs with the strawberries, but in fact, it’s the Pimm’s Cup. Also called a Pimm’s No. 1 Cup, this gin-based liqueur is mixed with lemonade and fresh fruit, making it the traditional Wimbledon drink.

A traditional since 1971. Want to recreate a taste of Wimbledon at home? Look no further – I’ve got a delicious Pimm’s Cup recipe waiting for you!  

Keeping the strawberry theme going, I created a delicious variation on a Pimm’s Cup. Below, you’ll find my Pimm’s Strawberry Mint Cocktail, served with lemonade, fresh mint, and strawberries.

A tall glass of Pimm's strawberry mint cocktail garnished with fresh strawberries and mint


If you’ve tried my Strawberries and Cream recipe please leave a star rating in the recipe. You can also leave a comment below or ask a question.

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Bowls of strawberries and fresh cream with a closeup
Yield: 4

Strawberries and Cream for Wimbledon

A perfect pour of cream over strawberries

Fresh strawberries are simply bathed in fresh whipping cream which is defines that the British summer and Wimbledon has arrived.

Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes

Ingredients

  • 32 strawberries, hulled
  • 1 cup (236 ml) heavy (or single) whipping cream
  • Sugar (optional) * see note

Instructions

  1. Add 8 strawberries to each bowl and pour over the heavy whipping cream, serve. This amount can be adjusted accordingly.

Notes

Traditionally, there is no sweetener in the cream, just the sweetness from the strawberries. You can add sugar if you prefer.

Nutrition Information

Yield

4

Serving Size

1
Amount Per Serving Calories 248Total Fat 22gSaturated Fat 14gTrans Fat 1gUnsaturated Fat 7gCholesterol 67mgSodium 18mgCarbohydrates 13gFiber 3gSugar 9gProtein 3g

This nutrition calculation is provided by Nutronix that is only a guideline and not intended for any particular diet.

© Janette
Cuisine: British / Category: Dessert