Strawberries are one of those amazing fruits you can eat just about a million different ways. From sweet whipped cream to tangy balsamic vinegar to spicy freshly ground black pepper, it seems that just about anything enhances their flavor in a new and exciting way.

Starting today, I’m embarking on a project to test several of the various ways to eat strawberries. Today’s parings are traditional cream with raw sugar and the more eclectic age balsamic vinegar. Really, any way you slice them they’re delicious and oh so photogenic!

Photos by Julia Boyle

The verdict? Sweet, creamy, almost buttery coat-your-mouth feeling that’s refreshing yet indulgent. Yummy!

Now, on to the balsamic…

It’s sweet. It’s savory. It’s tangy. It awakens every little taste bud from tip to throat. It’s worth a sprinkle of freshly ground black pepper too, but that’s for the next post.

Until next week, go get yourself some strawberries! I’m off to the International Foodstyling and Photography Conference in Boston for the weekend. Hopefully I’ll come back with tons of food photo knowledge to make your mouth water!