Strawberry Juice Trickling Down My Chin

Ah, strawberry juice trickling down my chin. Strawberry season is in full swing here in Umbria (she says trying to dislodge a strawberry seed stuck in a tooth). A few thoughts on this aromatic, flavorful fruit.

Strawberry Juice Trickling Down My Chin

A Large Italian?

The last couple of weeks have seen trays of strawberries appear in the shops here in Umbria, Italy. One of our favourite purchases is a kilo tray of large Italian strawberries.  When I say large I mean large.

Take a look at this photo, this is one of the strawberries sitting in the palm of my hand. I eat them like apples, just biting into them and munching away (with strawberry juice trickling down my chin LOL).

My Mum asked me if these large strawberries had any flavor? In her experience, she said, large strawberries were tough and didn’t taste much. Well these are fabby, full of strawberry flavor down to the last bite.

We leave the tray of strawberries on the kitchen table and just help ourselves every time we pass. We can clear that tray in no time at all.

Organic Strawberries

Yesterday we bought some organic Italian strawberries from La Saporita which is less than a ten minute drive from our house.  They were yummy and we still have a few left (though may be returning shortly for more). With a satisfying crispness as we ate them (me in my usual manner of course) they were smaller than the others we have been guzzling but probably stronger in flavor.

A Scene From My Favourite Film Death In Venice Involves Strawberries

Sitting munching on a strawberry, I was reminded of the scene from the Visconti film ‘Death In Venice‘ that included strawberries. The film is based on the book by Thomas Mann. The Gustav Von Aschenbach character, played by the actor Dirk Bogaerde, eats a strawberry in the same way that I have been scoffing mine. A bit more genteelly perhaps, and dabbing his mouth with a napkin. But essentially he picks up a strawberry and bites it. Perhaps if I used a napkin I wouldn’t get strawberry juice dribbling down my chin!

Symbology Of Strawberries In Death In Venice

Strawberries have been depicted as a symbol of sexual enjoyment in the past. The strawberry eaten by Von Aschenbach is overripe and soft (not like ours thankfully). In the film, the strawberries carry cholera which can be spread through unwashed fruit. So in this story of an older man fixated by the beauty of a young adolescent boy, the strawberry has several meanings, including death.

Video Of Still Images From Death In Venice

I will leave you with a video of stills from the film (look out for the strawberry eating image LOL). The video soundtrack is my favourite piece by Gustav Mahler which featured strongly in the film.

Before you go

My name is Dorothy Berry-Lound an artist and writer. You can find out more about my art and writing at https://dorothyberryloundart.com.

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Thank you for reading!