Dave's Market Update

In FRUIT

 

"The early imperial mandarins have started and they are eating well. We would normally start with Afourer variety which are grown further north in QLD, however the amount of rain they have had up there makes me very wary of them and these Imperials will not disappoint you. There is also a lot of raspberries still available. Beware some of the cheaper fruit particularly in the bigger punnets failed to clear over the Easter break and these will be trouble! 

Bananas continue to be well priced and figs though not as inexpensive as a week ago, are still eating well and certainly not dear. With apples we are seeing some of the later varieties in the stores and we will have Ambrosias, which is an apple I love, and Bravos in our stores this week.

Grapes are really, really good. There are great choices in store. The super large Autumn crisps loose on our stacks (or the cheaper smaller sized fruit in bags) Black Muscatels a great favourite of mine or the black Adoras, we have a fantastic grape to suit every budget and taste in our stores this week."

 

- David Harris

 

In VEG

 

The week has started with not a lot of fresh vegetables in the market as uncertainty with transport and fuel availability raised concerns with our farmers. Best options early in the week are cauliflowers, carrots and telegraph cucumbers. As the week goes on, more options will develop.

 

- David Harris     

 

Dave's Pick of the Week - Imperial Mandarins

 

"It has been an early start to the Queensland Imperial Mandarin season. The crop this year looks to be particularly good. The first mandarins of the year are the Imperial variety from Central Queensland around the Gayndah district. Imperial is a medium-sized mandarin, easy to peel, and does not have a lot of seeds. Hence, they are extremely popular in the school lunch box. To me, none of the many other varieties of mandarins eat like an Imperial; they are standalone the best. After May, we move south for these beauties and the season extends to about the middle of August some years, but not always. I am convinced the best fruit most years is the Queensland fruit. I prefer to buy medium fruit as it is less likely to be dry."