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The UK boasts a delightful array of fruits throughout the year, each season offering its own unique flavours and textures. Knowing what’s in season not only allows you to enjoy the freshest and most flavourful produce but also supports local farmers and reduces your carbon footprint. This guide will take you through the wonderful world of seasonal fruits in the UK, month by month, highlighting the best picks and offering tips on how to enjoy them.
Spring Awakening: Fruits of March, April, and May
Spring marks the beginning of the UK’s fruit season, although the pickings are initially slim. The focus is more on the emerging greenery, but some early fruits do make an appearance.
March: The Tailing End of Winter’s Bounty
March is a transitional month. While technically still winter, it hints at the warmer months to come. British-grown fruits are scarce, but you might still find some stored apples and pears from the previous autumn’s harvest. These fruits, kept in controlled environments, provide a taste of what was and a longing for what’s to come. Look for varieties like Cox’s Orange Pippin and Bramley apples. Imported citrus fruits are still widely available and offer a bright, refreshing counterpoint to the lingering cold weather.
April: Rhubarb’s Remarkable Reign
April is synonymous with rhubarb. While technically a vegetable, rhubarb is treated as a fruit in culinary applications due to its tart flavour and use in desserts and jams. Forced rhubarb, grown in darkened sheds to produce tender, pink stalks, is at its peak in April. It’s perfect for crumbles, pies, and even savoury dishes. Forced rhubarb has a more delicate flavour and texture than its outdoor-grown counterpart.
May: A Hint of Summer’s Promise
May sees the arrival of the first strawberries, although these are often grown under cover. These early strawberries are a tantalizing taste of summer. Gooseberries also start to appear towards the end of May, offering a sharp, tangy flavour that is delicious in pies and jams. Look out for local asparagus too, which pairs beautifully with some of the sharper fruit flavours.
Summer’s Sweet Embrace: Fruits of June, July, and August
Summer is the peak season for fruit in the UK. The abundance is truly remarkable, with a wide variety of berries, stone fruits, and other delights available.
June: Berry Bonanza Begins
June is the start of the berry season. Strawberries come into their own, offering a vibrant red colour and intense sweetness. British strawberries are renowned for their flavour, often surpassing imported varieties. Raspberries also begin to appear, adding their delicate flavour to the mix. Other fruits like gooseberries and cherries also become available. Early varieties of cherries are typically tart, while later varieties are sweeter.
July: Stone Fruit Sensation and Berry Bliss
July is a fruit lover’s paradise. Strawberries and raspberries continue to flourish, alongside the arrival of blueberries, blackcurrants, and redcurrants. Stone fruits like cherries, plums, and nectarines start to ripen, offering juicy and flavorful options. British cherries are particularly prized, with varieties like the Kentish cherry known for their exceptional sweetness.
August: The Height of the Harvest
August is the peak of the fruit season. Everything is in abundance, from berries to stone fruits to early apples and pears. Blackberries begin to ripen in hedgerows, offering a free and delicious treat for those willing to forage. Plums, peaches, and nectarines are at their best, offering a range of flavours and textures. This is the perfect time to preserve fruits for later in the year, making jams, chutneys, and frozen purees.
Autumn’s Golden Glow: Fruits of September, October, and November
Autumn brings a change in pace, with the focus shifting from soft fruits to apples, pears, and other orchard fruits. The colours are beautiful, and the flavours are rich and comforting.
September: Apple and Pear Perfection
September marks the start of the apple and pear harvest. Orchards are laden with fruit, offering a wide variety of flavours and textures. Early apple varieties like Discovery and Worcester Pearmain are available, alongside the first pears. This is a great time to visit local orchards and pick your own fruit. Many farms offer pick-your-own experiences, providing a fun and educational day out for the whole family.
October: The Apple Harvest in Full Swing
October is apple season in the UK. A vast array of apple varieties are available, from sweet dessert apples to tart cooking apples. Look out for heritage varieties, which often have unique flavours and stories to tell. Pears are also at their peak, offering a juicy and delicate flavour. This is the time to make apple pies, crumbles, and cider. Also, don’t forget about quince.
November: Storing Up for Winter
November sees the end of the main fruit harvest, but there are still plenty of apples and pears available. Many orchards offer late-season varieties that store well, providing fruit throughout the winter months. This is also a good time to buy bulk quantities of apples and pears for juicing or preserving. Damsons may also still be available, offering a tart and intensely flavoured fruit that is perfect for jams and preserves.
Winter’s Waiting Game: Fruits of December, January, and February
Winter is the leanest time of year for UK-grown fruit. The focus shifts to imported citrus fruits and stored apples and pears.
December, January, and February: Citrus and Storage
During these months, domestically grown fresh fruit is very scarce. However, apples and pears that were carefully stored from the autumn harvest remain available. These can be a welcome reminder of warmer days. Imported citrus fruits, such as oranges, lemons, grapefruits, and tangerines, are plentiful and offer a burst of sunshine in the dark winter months. Look for seasonal varieties like blood oranges, which have a unique flavour and colour.
Extending the Season: Preservation and Storage
One of the best ways to enjoy seasonal fruit all year round is to preserve it. Jams, chutneys, and pickles are all excellent ways to capture the flavours of summer and autumn. Freezing fruit is another easy and effective method, allowing you to enjoy berries and other soft fruits throughout the winter. Apple juice and cider can also be made and stored for later consumption. Properly stored apples and pears can last for several months, providing a supply of fresh fruit even in the depths of winter.
Why Choose Seasonal Fruit?
There are many benefits to eating seasonal fruit. It’s fresher, more flavourful, and often more nutritious. Seasonal fruit is also more likely to be locally grown, which supports local farmers and reduces your carbon footprint. By choosing seasonal fruit, you can enjoy the best that the UK has to offer, while also making a sustainable choice. Eating seasonally connects you to the rhythms of nature.
Finding Local and Seasonal Fruit
There are several ways to find local and seasonal fruit in the UK. Farmers’ markets are a great place to meet local growers and buy fresh produce. Farm shops often sell fruit that is grown on the premises. Pick-your-own farms offer the opportunity to harvest your own fruit, providing a fun and educational experience. Local greengrocers are also a good source of seasonal fruit, as they often source their produce from local farms.
Enjoy the bounty of each season!
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What fruits are typically in season in the UK during the summer months?
During the summer, the UK boasts a bounty of delicious fruits. You can expect to find strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, and cherries at their peak. These are fantastic enjoyed fresh, used in baking, or made into jams and preserves. Early apples and pears may also start to appear towards the end of summer, offering a hint of autumn flavours.
Beyond the berries, look out for plums, which begin their season around mid-summer. Also, keep an eye out for elderflowers which, although not strictly a fruit, can be used to make refreshing cordial and syrups. Availability can vary slightly depending on the specific weather conditions in any given year, so checking with local farmers markets is always a good idea.
How can I tell if a fruit is truly in season in the UK?
The easiest way to tell if a fruit is truly in season in the UK is to buy it from local sources. Farmers’ markets and farm shops are excellent places to find fruits that have been freshly picked and haven’t travelled long distances. This usually means they are at their peak ripeness and flavour, reflecting the specific season.
Another indicator is the price. When fruits are in season, they are typically more abundant, leading to lower prices compared to when they are imported out of season. You can also look for signs like shorter shelf life, as fruits picked at their peak ripeness may not last as long as those that have been stored for extended periods. Finally, trust your taste buds! In-season fruits will generally have a much richer and more intense flavour.
Are there any fruits that are available year-round in the UK, and why?
While the UK has a distinct seasonal fruit calendar, some fruits are available year-round due to imports from other countries. Apples and pears, for example, can often be found throughout the year because they can be stored for extended periods after harvest and supplemented by imports from the Southern Hemisphere during the UK’s off-season. Similarly, citrus fruits like oranges and lemons are almost entirely imported and therefore consistently available.
It’s important to remember that while these fruits are available, they may not always be at their peak flavour or quality. Opting for locally sourced, seasonal fruits will always provide the freshest and most flavourful experience. However, the availability of imported fruits allows for a wider variety of options for consumers throughout the year.
What are the benefits of eating seasonal fruit?
Eating seasonal fruit offers numerous benefits. Firstly, it’s usually fresher and more flavourful as it’s harvested at its peak ripeness and hasn’t travelled long distances. This means you’re getting the most nutrients and vitamins from the fruit, as they degrade over time after picking. Seasonal fruit also tends to be more affordable due to its abundance during its peak season.
Secondly, choosing seasonal fruit supports local farmers and reduces the environmental impact of transporting food across the globe. Buying locally grown produce helps to sustain local economies and reduces your carbon footprint. It also allows you to enjoy a more diverse range of flavours throughout the year, as you experience different fruits as they come into season.
What fruit is in season in the UK during the autumn months?
Autumn in the UK brings a harvest of apples, pears, and plums. Many varieties of apples become available, from tart cooking apples to sweet eating varieties. Pears also reach their peak, offering juicy and flavorful alternatives. Plums continue from late summer into early autumn, offering a last taste of summer before the full onset of fall.
Towards the later part of autumn, you might also find the first of the autumn raspberries, offering a delightful burst of flavour as the weather cools. While the range of available fruits might be slightly smaller than in summer, the quality and flavour of autumn fruits are exceptional, making them perfect for pies, crumbles, and other comforting desserts.
Where can I find information about exactly what fruits are in season each month in the UK?
Numerous online resources provide up-to-date information about seasonal fruit in the UK. Websites of local farmers’ markets, farm shops, and community supported agriculture (CSA) schemes often publish lists of what’s currently in season. Also, many gardening and food blogs dedicate sections to seasonal produce, offering guides and recipes based on what’s available.
Look for websites run by organizations focused on sustainable agriculture or local food systems, as they often provide comprehensive seasonal calendars. Additionally, many supermarkets and grocery stores now include information on their websites or in-store about the origin of their produce, helping you make informed choices about buying seasonal and local fruit. These sources will help you to make the best and freshest choices when purchasing fruit.
Are there any fruits that are surprisingly grown in the UK, despite the climate?
While the UK climate is not traditionally associated with certain fruits, advancements in horticulture and the use of greenhouses have enabled the cultivation of some surprising varieties. For example, some growers in the south of England are experimenting with growing grapes for wine production, with several English sparkling wines winning international awards. Similarly, sheltered microclimates can support the cultivation of peaches and nectarines on a small scale.
Furthermore, some farmers are successfully growing unusual berries such as gooseberries and jostaberries. These are hardy plants that can tolerate the UK’s climate. While not widely available, these niche crops demonstrate the potential for diversifying UK fruit production beyond the more common varieties like apples and berries, often found in farmer’s markets and specialty shops.