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Danish Honeoye Strawberries from Samsø

At Kastbergs Gourmet Ice Cream, we use real Honeoye strawberries from Denmark’s island of Samsø in our Strawberry Ice Cream and Strawberry Sorbet. Read on to discover what makes Samsø strawberries so special

Honeoye Strawberries

The Honeoye strawberry is a unique hybrid variety developed at the New York State Agricultural Experiment Station at Cornell University in the 1970s. The variety is a cross between the ‘Vibrant’ and ‘Holiday’ strawberry types—‘Vibrant’ was chosen for its predictable productivity, while ‘Holiday’ was selected for its size, hardiness, and firm fruit. This unique combination resulted in the Honeoye variety, known for its stability, high yield, and excellent shelf life.

Today, this variety is grown on the sunny Danish island of Samsø, where Kastbergs Gourmet Ice Cream uses it in both our Strawberry Sorbet and Strawberry Ice Cream. These berries provide a rich natural color and deep flavor. They are known for their large size and intense red color and thrive in Denmark’s moderate climate.

At Kastbergs, we have chosen to use Honeoye strawberries specifically because of their deep red hue and powerful taste—making them ideal for our Strawberry Ice Cream and Sorbet, and giving them the distinct and delightful flavor of a Danish summer. Although Honeoye strawberries are not favored by supermarkets due to their dark color—often mistaken by consumers for being overripe—we believe they are the best choice for our products.

We are among the few who take full advantage of this wonderful berry’s flavor and vivid color in our production. Try it for yourself next time you visit us. We guarantee a truly unique taste of Danish summer.

Samsø’s Climate Offers Perfect Conditions for Danish Strawberries

Samsø enjoys moderate climate conditions that are ideal for cultivating delicious Honeoye strawberries and enhancing their flavor. The island’s additional hours of sunshine allow strawberries to ripen under optimal conditions, contributing to their intense, sweet taste.

In autumn and winter, the sea surrounding Samsø retains relatively high temperatures, which helps raise the island’s overall climate to some of the warmest in Denmark. In contrast, during spring, the cooler sea suppresses cloud formation around the island, resulting in significantly more sunshine. Westerly winds also tend to lose their strength after crossing the Jutland ridge, meaning Samsø is less affected by strong winds. During summer, the cool sea reduces the risk of showers, making the municipality the driest in Denmark. This dry climate also contributes to more sunshine compared to the national average.

For three months of the year, Samsø is Denmark’s sunniest region—and when considering the entire year, only Læsø receives more sunlight. According to the Danish Meteorological Institute (DMI), Samsø has an average annual temperature that is 0.4°C higher than the national average, along with nearly 200 more hours of sunshine per year. All of this significantly benefits the flavor of the strawberries.

The Climate’s Impact on Danish Strawberries

As described above, Samsø’s moderate climate is perfect for growing rich, flavorful Honeoye strawberries. The extra hours of sunshine give the berries optimal ripening conditions. As a result, Kastbergs Gourmet Ice Cream and Sorbet can offer you the most flavorful Danish strawberries, thanks to Samsø Bær, which supplies us with the highest quality berries for your enjoyment.

Learn more about Samsø Bær—our trusted partner for premium strawberries used in Kastbergs sorbets and ice creams.