Albion™ Strawberry | CAT 1 | Californie® | Baja California | BLK

Albion™ strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa), Category 1, grown in Baja California, Mexico, and marketed under the Californie® brand. Albion is a renowned day-neutral cultivar developed by the University of California, commercially valued for its large, firm berries, uniform conical shape and attractive red coloration. It is particularly recognized for its high sweetness, balanced acidity, firm texture and excellent eating quality.

Organoleptic Properties

Medium to large berries with a conical to elongated-conical and generally uniform shape. Bright, deep-red exterior with visible achenes and a fresh green calyx. Firm, fleshy, red to light-red interior with moderate juiciness and good handling resistance. Fresh, characteristic ripe-strawberry aroma. Sweet, aromatic and well-balanced flavor, complemented by pleasant acidity that enhances its fruity character.

Suggested Uses

Ideal for fresh consumption, bakery, pastry, tarts, cheesecakes, chocolate preparations, fruit salads, yogurt, oatmeal, bowls, smoothies, beverages, cocktails, ice cream, preserves and culinary garnishes. Its firmness and attractive shape also make it suitable for whole or sliced presentations in buffets, hotels, catering and foodservice.

Format

Bulk (BLK) per kilogram. Category 1 (CAT 1) fruit selected for freshness, color, firmness, uniformity, integrity and commercial quality.

Storage and Handling

Preferably store refrigerated between 0 and 2 °C with approximately 90–95% relative humidity. Strawberries are highly perishable; maintain the cold chain and prevent free moisture or condensation from accumulating on the berries. For maximum shelf life, wash only immediately before consumption or processing.

Quality and Selection Criteria

Fresh, whole, firm and properly developed berries with characteristic red coloration and a green calyx. For CAT 1, good uniformity in shape, size and coloration is expected, allowing only minor superficial defects that do not affect overall quality, shelf life or commercial presentation. Free from mold, decay, fermentation, severe bruising, dehydration or damage affecting the flesh.

Origin

Baja California, Mexico.

Albion was developed by the University of California strawberry breeding program from a Diamante × Cal 94.16-1 cross made in 1997 and was subsequently selected in 1998. Commercially introduced in the mid-2000s, it is a day-neutral cultivar, allowing extended flowering and production cycles under suitable growing conditions. Albion became widely recognized for combining large and uniform berries, high firmness, strong postharvest performance and a particularly sweet flavor profile. These characteristics have encouraged its cultivation in important Mexican strawberry-growing regions, including Baja California, where mild coastal conditions are particularly favorable for premium fresh-market strawberry production.