Tehim (Strawberry)

Tehim (Lenape for strawberry) is a fruit native to North America. They’re the first berry of the season and a welcome sign that the winter is past and warmer days and a bounty of fresh produce are to come. 

Strawberries are a traditional Indigenous food and celebrated by tribal communities across the US. According to the Cherokee, the Creator used the fruit as a way to unite First Man and First Woman. After an argument, First Woman walked away from her partner and said she was never returning. Hours later, First Man began to worry about First Woman and followed her path. The Creator saw this and took pity on First Man, offering to help reunite the couple. As First Woman was walking, the Creator ripened huckleberries along her path, to slow her. But she didn’t stop. The Creator tried again and ripened blackberries and then serviceberries, but still she didn’t stop. The Creator made a new and different berry, bright red, fragrant, and sweet, and put it in her path. When First Woman saw the new berry, the strawberry, she stopped and tried the fruit. As she ate, happy memories of her partner returned. First Woman gathered more berries, turned around, and walked home. First Man and First Woman reunited on the path and shared the fruits. For the Cherokee, strawberries signify love and connection. 

Algonquin tribes call June’s full moon the Strawberry Moon. That’s because the berries ripen and are most abundant in June. This year’s Strawberry Moon is June 24th and it’s also a super moon. This means that a full moon is also at its closest point to Earth during its orbit and will look much larger than usual. Make sure you take in this astronomical beauty on the 24th, it’s the last supermoon of 2021. 

Tehim is also an important medicine. The leaves and roots are infused to treat intestinal distress and gout. Ground leaves are also used on wounds for their antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. The red, heart shaped fruit is also said to help the heart, blood, arthritis, and detoxification.

Tehim have a short season so savor the fruits and Super Strawberry Moon while they’re here. And remember to celebrate the fruit as a symbol of love, thanksgiving to the natural world, renewal and medicine. 

Keep reading to learn about other plants native to the Delmarva region like Selu (Corn) and Ultsă΄gĭtă΄ útana (Devil’s Walking Stick).

Sources: Lenape Talking Dictionary, Iwígara: The Kinship of Plants and People by Enrique Salmón, Northern Cherokee Nation, Indian Country Today, Space.com

Tehim (Strawberry) Juice Recipe

4 cups strawberries 

¼ to ½ cup maple syrup (depending on your sweet tooth)

4 cups water 

 1-Wash, hull, and slice strawberries. Put them in a blender and combine until smooth

2-Add syrup and water to the blender, and blend until smooth. (If you’d like your drink to be sweeter, add additional syrup to taste. If you’d like to cut the sweetness, add a little more water.) 

3-Chill in the refrigerator for several hours. Shake before serving and enjoy!

This recipe is an adaptation of Strawberry Drink Recipe by the Oneida Indian Nation.