You might have seen people giving gifts, which are even not relevant and go dumped in cupboard for years and years until your neighbours have birthdays or it is thanksgiving and you do not have time to get them a good gift. What do you do; you simply get those gifts and get them delivered at their doorsteps.

But is it the correct way of gifting? No, not actually, and therefore, you must get it corrected. Now, you would say that what to do, you do not have much of time get to mall and buy those.

Then I would say, ok do not go mall or Archie’s gallery… just go to your kitchen, get the fruits, and assemble the fruit baskets and bam! You are ready to gift. Innovative, too much innovative and see you started thinking of what to add in the baskets. Do not worry; here are things ready; just read.

Getting a fruit basket assembled

It is so simple and healthy that even the people, who will get it, will love it. Just what you would require here is to get the idea that what fruit your basket receiver likes. Fruits of his or her choice would lure them a little bit more; otherwise, some other one from the family would be eating it.

However, here are some general ideas; you would definitely like to experiment.

•   Apple fruit basket: An apple a day, keeps the doctor away! Yes, therefore, the apple fruit baskets UK will be more like the blessings, saying stay healthy always. So, get the basket rich of Vitamin A, C, E, fibres and Pectin. I guess it is far worth than some hundred-dollar painting or showcase.

•   Fruits basket: Well, this is even healthier than simple putting one type of fruit. Therefore, get some different fruits, like apple, orange, strawberries, pears, etc., and get that assembled in one. By mixing all of them together, you are mixing the nutrients.

•   Orange baskets: Being rich in Vitamin C, orange makes the best gift ever; it keeps one healthy, young, and oxidised. By gifting this, you are gifting good health, less cholesterol, 170 phytonutrients, and 60 flavonoids. So, get some shiny orange, packed in a beautiful basket, and get it delivered. The receiver is going to love it.

•   Fruit and nut basket: Well, the main constituent of the basket would be fruits, but to increase the nutrition, you can add the nuts and dry fruits. They are also healthy and they will increase the total appearance of the basket.

So, while you have different ideas of fruits to be included. Now the second thought comes about the decoration. Therefore, the suggestion is that, in market there are coloured cellophane and wraps available. Just bring some of your choice and wrap it up. And, to write some notes, get greeting cards too. Write some lovely notes for wellbeing and tuck it in. Lastly, to increase the elegance, you can add the ribbons too.

Fragaria ananassa is commonly known as strawberry. Scientifically speaking, strawberry is an aggregate accessory fruit and not the actual fruit. It is a red coloured, juicy fruit that is sweet, sometimes sour to taste. Strawberry is probably the cutest looking fruit that attracts all especially kids. The fruit is consumed all over the world either in fresh form or as an ingredient in juices, ice creams, milk shakes etc. Strawberry flavouring is one of the most used flavours in food, beverages, make up and fragrance industry.

History –

It was first cultivated in France in the 1750s. Before this, the fruit grew in wild. The use of strawberry became popular because of its medicinal values. Different types of strawberries that vary in size, shape, colour and taste are grown in the different parts of the world. Usually the creeper grows in cool places like hill stations.

Appearance –

The fruit is small, heart shaped red in colour with a green calyx on the head. The surface is spotted and rough with more than 200 seeds on its outer membrane. The inner texture is soft and succulent. The tiny fruit could be eaten in one bite. it will be the most attractive fruit in your fruit baskets.

Commercial uses –

Along with being eaten just like a plain fresh fruit, strawberry has other uses too.

• It is consumed with fresh cream.
• It is used as a topping for cakes and pastries.
• It makes a delicious milkshake.
• It is used to make ice creams.
• It is used in making preservatives
• It is used to flavour chocolates and candies.
• It is also used to add flavour to hand sanitizers and perfumes.
• It is used to make pies and puddings.
• It is used to add flavour to lip gloss, lip colours and perfumes.
• The flavour is used in many other foods, beverages, confections and cosmetics.

Health benefits –

100g of strawberry has about 33 kilocalories. It is an excellent source of vitamin C. It also contains manganese, other vitamins, dietary minerals and essential fatty acids. This fruit is high in nutrients and low in calories. Strawberry is good for –

• Reduces risk of Cardiovascular diseases
• Lessens the effects of Inflammation and ulcers.
• Controls your hypertension and blood pressure.
• It can prevent cancer.
• It is a good fruit for people suffering from Diabetes.
• You can manage your allergies and asthma too by regularly eating strawberries.
• It relieves you from constipation.
• Can lessen the effects of depression.
• Strawberry also has anti aging factors.
• It promotes the health of your bone.
• It is a very good fruit for women who are pregnant.

Instant serving ideas –

• Add chopped strawberries in to your green salad.
• Blend strawberries and use it as a sauce on your favouring ice creams.
• Add chopped strawberries to your cereal.

 You can find more than 600 varieties of strawberries across the world. So, do not forget to include this magical fruit in your fruit baskets. It is going to improve your beauty as well as health.

Grapes are a type of berry of woody, deciduous vines, belonging to the genus Vitis. They are very tasty, eaten raw or in the form of juice, jam, wine, jelly, grape seed oil, vinegar and raisins.  Grapes are thus very versatile type of fruits. They make for ideal ingredients in fruit baskets.

But here are some less known, interesting facts about grapes:

• Grapes are classified botanically as berries: They are a type of berry with fleshy inside and leathery cover, much like blue-berries.

• There are around 8000 varieties of grapes, found in around 60 species. Major types are European and American.

• One cup of grapes has only 100 calories but is rich in anti-oxidants, vitamins C and K.

• One bottle of wine takes 2. 5 pounds of grapes to make it.

• Raisins refer to dried grapes which are left to cure in sunlight.

• Grapes come in a variety of colours: purple, pink, yellow, green, black, etc.

• Most grapes originate from cultivars made of Vitis Vinifera, the grape vine native to Central Asia and the Mediterranean.

• Around 71% of grapes cultivated in the world are used to make wine, 2% as dried fruit and 27% as fresh fruit.

• The most widely cultivated grape variety is the Sultanas, also called as Thompson seedless.

• Grapes are divided into table grapes and wine grapes. Table grapes are eaten raw, are seedless and have less sugar content than wine grapes which are seeded and used to make wine.

• Grapes are vegetatively propagated by cutting and lack of seeds does not hinder reproduction. At present, there are over a dozen types of seedless grapes which you can include in a basket of fruit.

• Grape juice is fermented to make wine, vinegar or brandy.

• Dried grapes contain around 15% water.

• The making of wine started from as back as 5000 BC.

• Grapes help lower risk of heart attacks by increasing levels of nitric acid in the blood which prevent formation of blood clots.

• Grapes are used to cure indigestion, asthma, migraine, fatigue and kidney disease.

• They contain low levels of fat, sodium and cholesterol.

• They can have laxative effect when consumed in a large quantity.

• Grapes have 80% content of water and make for a good low calorie snack.

• An acre of grape plantation can make 15,000 cups of wine.

• The global wine industry produces over 70 million tons a year.

• The grape industry is the biggest food based industry in the world.

• Australia makes over 1 billion litres of wine annually.

• Napa Valley in California has the highest concentration of wineries in the world (over 200).

• Grapes are rich in phyto-nutrients like Poly-phenolic anti-oxidants, minerals and vitamins. One phyto-nutrient is Resveratrol, which protects body from cancer, heart disease, Alzheimer, etc. Another group is Anthocyanins, which have anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic qualities.

These are some uncommon facts about grapes- one of the world’s most popular fruits.