Cookeskitchen.co.uk: Join us in a cooking revolution (blog)

Fruit and veg: what’s in season over the next few months

We all know that fruit and veg just tastes better when it’s fresh and in season, however with supermarkets packed to the brim with all kinds of produce, how can you know what’s best to buy?

As supermarkets compete to offer the freshest foods, you can start to become a savvy shopper and know exactly what it is you need to pick up to ensure full flavour, nutrients and value for money. The savvy shoppers know that it’s not just about searching for that elusive  voucher code for Morrisons for fruit and vegetables or even double points at the local superstore – it’s about knowing enough about the food to know they’re getting the best.

As we shift into summer, it’s time to look at eating seasonally and we’ve put together a list of fruit and veg that you should be on the lookout for.

What fruit is in season?

berries-1225101_960_720

Fans of berries and rich flavours are in luck this summer as there is a wide range of fruits that are just about to come into season.  Stock up on blueberries, raspberries, strawberries and loganberries, along with plums and currants that will be delicious sprinkled over a summer salad. These fruits are ideal for use as a summer snack or blended into a delicious smoothie to start your day.

What veg should I be buying this summer?

vegetables-1363031_960_720

There is a wide variety of vegetables that are in season over the summer months. Put together the perfect salad with classics such as beetroot, carrot, cucumber, lettuce, radishes, salad onions and tomatoes. You can also enjoy adding some fresh summer flavours with garlic, fennel and watercress, all of which are now in season. For mouth-watering summer dinner dishes, take advantage of in-season broad beans, broccoli, courgette and new potatoes.

What are the benefits of eating seasonally?

There are many health benefits to switching to seasonal purchasing. Food that is in season contains the minerals and nutrients that our bodies need at this time in the year, helping to boost our immune systems and prepare us for the upcoming winter. Eating seasonally also has financial benefits as fruit and veg become cheaper if they are easily sourced by retailers. The more in-demand they are, the higher the price.

Taste is also a huge factor in purchasing fruit and veg that is in season, when out of season produce is grown either in a greenhouse or shipped in from other countries. The time taken to refrigerate and transport this means that the produce may not ripen as well as it would in a natural environment and lose some of its flavour.

Health experts state that we should be eating five portions of fruit and veg per day, however this will soon get boring if you stick with the same menu. By embracing seasonal trends and sourcing the freshest ingredients from your local supermarket or farmer’s market, you can ensure you and your family have a steady stream of food that’s ready to be eaten!

Find out more about when fruit and veg comes into season in this handy guide to eating seasonably. Bon appetit!