Know the Wimbledon strawberries and cream tradition and price in 2023
Wimbledon’s display courts are surrounded by several restaurants and food and beverage stands, requiring, according to the tournament’s organisers, the greatest catering operation of any event in Europe.
Wimbledon 2023 Pimm’s with strawberries and cream price and tradition meaning explained
Pimm’s is equally as popular and as much of a tradition of the event as strawberries and cream, even if champagne is a common beverage choice for the summer Grand Slam. Over 276,000 glasses of Pimm’s are believed to have been served throughout the championships, well surpassing the estimated 191,000 servings of the snack.
How long have these foods been Wimbledon’s favourite and why are they on the menu? Take in some of the information provided by The SportsGrail.
grab your strawberries and cream #Wimbledon is here! pic.twitter.com/qZ8Ux6pMlu
— TENNIS (@Tennis) July 2, 2023
Why do Wimbledon spectators consume strawberries with cream?
The dish is rumoured to have been served at Wimbledon’s inaugural match in 1877 when there were just 200 spectators present. However, the treat’s beginnings are said to have been with Cardinal Thomas Wolsey, the Lord Chancellor of King Henry VIII, in the early 16th century.
The chancellor’s chef is reported to have served wild strawberries and cream as one of the desserts at the supper when the King and court visited Wolsey’s residence at Hampton Court, which is only about ten miles from Wimbledon. According to the site All Things Georgian, the King ate the combo, which helped it become well-known. The custom has persisted over the years.
Before being transported to the grounds in south London, the strawberries for Wimbledon are harvested early in the morning in Kent. Championships, where portions are priced at £2.50, have remained the same since 2010.
What makes Pimm’s a hit at Wimbledon?
Pimm’s, a cold, refreshing summer beverage with 25% alcohol, can include a slice of strawberry as part of a garnish that also includes mint, cucumber, and apple. The beverage pairs nicely with strawberries and cream, as the thousands of spectators at the competition would attest. In 1971, the venue’s first Pimm’s bar debuted, and it has since been a local staple.
James Pimm created Pimm’s as a gin-based beverage in 1840 and began selling it at his London Oyster Bar. At Wimbledon, several versions of a Pimm’s cocktail have evolved throughout the years, and more than 280,000 glasses were drunk during the 2016 competition. New versions made with vodka, brandy, and cider with flavours like strawberry, cucumber, and summer fruits have recently been launched.