IN FRUIT:
Menindee Seedless white grapes from Mildura are eating better every week, with volumes increasing and prices easing over the coming weeks. There are plenty of both white and yellow nectarines in the markets this week, with the eating quality exceptional. The flush of limes from Far North Queensland show no signs of relenting this week, plenty of good value to be had, particularly whilst lemons remain expensive.
The flush of topless pineapples continue; the overlapping of a couple of the growing regions in Queensland has placed some serious volumes of fantastic eating pineapple in the markets. Good eating seedless melons can be found in the markets this week, so make sure to treat yourself to a slice of seedless melon as your refreshment during this weeks heat wave! A quick tip: buy a whole melon (shelf life is good at the moment) and bank the savings.
With the Chinese New Year now complete, the demand for cherries has eased leaving more stock available. Nearly all of our cherries now are out of Tasmania, and the quality is great! Pick of the Plums this week is Western Australian amber jewels. Amber jewels are a yellow flesh fruit with a small stone and one of the best eating plums of season.
Valencia oranges are green in appearance at the moment. This is caused by excessive heat. Its nature’s way of providing sunscreen. Whilst not great to look at, the oranges are as sweet as ever.
IN VEG:
Vegetables are often difficult at this time of the year. The combination of heat, humidity and rain can disrupt supply and this year appears to be no different.
New season Kestrel Potatoes from South Australia are a stand out this week. Kestrels are a smooth skinned potato with distinctive purple eyes. They have a great flavor which has proven popular with customers. Kestrels are versatile potatoes suitable for a variety of different methods of cooking. I love them as a roasting potato and they make the most delicious chips you will ever eat.
Reed avocadoes from South Australia are in store and great eating. Reed avocados are not well known but much loved by those who do know them. A Reed is larger than most avocados, with a skin that remains green when the fruit ripens and is round in shape unlike most other avocados. They have a nutty, creamy flavour quite different to the far better known black skin Hass variety. The cut fruit stores well in the fridge - again different to other varieties. They do have a somewhat large seed but the fruit itself is very large also, meaning each avocado provides a lot of fruit (flesh).
All cucumbers varieties are well supplied. The sweet baby cucumbers are great eating and an ideal size for kids lunch boxes.
