In the heart of the Dordogne, the Perigord was ideally suited to become one of the main strawberry production areas in France. Its mild temperatures, its exposure to the sun and its light soil offer an idyllic setting for strawberries, the French's favorite fruit. With the nut, the Périgord strawberry is a typical product celebrated by an IGP (Protected Geographical Indication). From mara des bois to gariguette, taste the sweet flavor of eight varieties of Périgord strawberries!
Why are Périgord strawberries famous?
A brief history of Périgord strawberries
With more than 55 tonnes each year, Dordogne strawberry production is one of the largest in France. The culture appears, initially between the vines, from the end of the 000e century in Périgord. But it's in the middle of the 20e that this region becomes the leader in strawberry production in France.
The producers obtained a first certification in 1999, then, in 2004, the European Commission issued them the 1st Protected Geographical Indication (PGI).
Périgord IGP strawberries, a quality label
The IGP guarantees consumers:
- production in compliance with specifications;
- product traceability;
- cultivation in open ground that respects the environment;
- picking ripe fruit;
- respect for different varieties and their taste quality.
With Périgord strawberry varieties: six months of pleasure
On market stalls, at greengrocers or directly from producers, Périgord strawberries can be enjoyed from May to October. From Darselect to Charlotte to Mara des bois, the varieties produced in Dordogne each have their own taste characteristics!
| Strawberry varieties from Périgord | Color and appearance | Texture and flavor | Consumption period |
| Darselect | Brick red to purple | Fleshy and regular | April to June |
| Clery | Bright red, shiny and conical | Sweet | April to June |
| Donna | Light red and elongated | Sweet | April to June |
| Candis | Bright red, shiny and rounded | Tender and juicy | April to June |
| gariguette | Orange-red, elongated | Juicy and tangy | April to mid-June |
| Cirafine | Bright red, shiny and elongated | Tangy and slightly aromatic | May and June |
| mara of the woods | Bright and irregular red | Very sweet with the scent of the woods | Mid-May to October |
| Charlotte | Orange-red and rounded | Slightly tangy, scent of the woods | Mid-May to October |
What to pair Périgord strawberries with?
The Périgord strawberry is a local product which pleases gourmets and gourmands alike! In Dordogne, Périgord gastronomy full of treasures like foie gras, Périgord nuts, duck breast ou caviar. The opportunity to make many recipes by combining strawberries.
- As a sweet and savory starter, the Périgord strawberry goes perfectly with an avocado tartare and a foie gras. It is also perfect in salad with a squeeze of lemon and a few basil leaves.
- As a main course, you can opt for a strawberry-based sauce which deliciously tops a duck breast.
- For cheese lovers, strawberries go perfectly with Cabécou and noix of Perigord.
- For those with a sweet tooth, Périgord strawberries can be enjoyed in tartlets, cheesecakes, soups, or crumbles. You'll be spoiled for choice !
