The first recorded strawberry dish

is from ancient Rome, where the fruit was served with honey and wine. It was also used for medicinal purposes, believed to cure liver and kidney ailments. In medieval Europe, strawberries were highly valued and were considered a luxury item, often reserved for royalty. They were also believed to have aphrodisiac qualities and thought to be an indulgence for newlyweds. The first written recipe for a strawberry tart was published in 1591 in England, and since then, strawberries have become a popular dessert ingredient worldwide.