F R U I T F O C U S
When the two species were grown near each other, a chance cross occurred that resulted in a large fruited hardy plant. The transition from these two native plants to our modern strawberry was long and involved a lot of hybridization and back crossing. All modern strawberries are designated Fragaria X ananassa, including all the red ones I grow and the white pineberries too. All are the result of classic plant breeding and are not "genetically modified organisms" in which DNA from another species is forced into a plant or animal.
The original source material for the pineberry, with its striking white color and red "seeds," and bright pine-apply flavor, was "discovered" in France. While most strawberries are red with light colored achenes (or seeds, as most people call them), pineberries are white or light pink with red achenes. The texture is a little softer and juicier than a regular strawberry, and the taste is a combination of pineapple and sweet-tart strawberry. Between the striking coloration, delicious taste, and intoxicating aroma, pineberries are hard to resist!
Pineberries are more delicate than red strawberries and need to be eaten within a few days. So far, we just eat them plain so we can taste all of their fruity goodness unadulterated, but you can use them the same ways you would use red strawberries.