FRUIT OF THE WEEK:
- Ronde de Bordeaux fresh baby figs from South Africa
FOUR FRUIT with FABULOUS FLAVOUR:
- Oranges – Tarocco and Moro blood oranges from Italy
- Mandarins – Orri, Tangold and Nadorcott from Spain and Morocco
- Grapes – South African Sable, Melody and Sweet Celebration
- Figs – Baby Ronde de Bordeaux from South Africa
Oranges: Blood oranges from Italy are delicious, a real highlight of the orange year! Many stores have variety Moro, but look out for Tarocco (seen in M&S, Sainsbury and Tesco) which is finer and sweeter.
Spanish Navelates also have good sweetness, while Salustianas are ideal for juicing, and Seville oranges are now available for homemade marmalade (seen in Sainsbury, Tesco & Waitrose).
Mandarins: Orri, Tangold and Nadorcott are a treat for those looking for depth of flavour in their Clementines.
Grapes: The best for flavour is the black grape, Sable, now widely available, and on promotion in Sainsburys at £1.50/400g – a bargain (and at Asda, Waitrose and Tesco at £2.00/400g). Also look out for sumptuous new varieties, Melody, another black grape, Sweet Celebration and Krissy (red grapes) and Arra 15 (white grape).
Figs: There are some lovely varieties available from South Africa, Peru and India, including the baby fig, Ronde de Bordeaux (seen in M&S, Tesco and Morrisons).
OTHER NEWS:
Apples: At last count, 29 different varieties of apples were available from UK supermarkets: what a fabulous choice!
For flavour, I will always reach for an Empire (Morrisons, Tesco), Braeburn, Jazz (also known as Scifresh) or Egremont Russett, as I pass the fruit bowl. However, there is so much choice, that there is something for all tastes. Envy, for example, is an attractive, recent variety from English orchards that is well worth trying.
Pears: My favourite soft pear is Comice (or Sweet Sensation, a red-blushed version), and the best crisp pears (which will also soften to a fine texture) are Concorde, Abaté Fétèl and Portuguese Rocha.
Lychee: Lychees are nearing the end of season from South Africa and Madagascar, but are still worth trying and prices are reasonable, e.g. Tesco (£5.30/kg, 500g pack).
Plums: Plums are in peak season from South Africa. FlavorKing and Black Diamond (Suplum11) are probably the pick of the bunch, but there is plenty of choice. Let them soften properly in your fruit bowl to get the best sweetness and succulence.
Cherimoya: Looking for flavour with a difference? Try Cherimoya from Spain (in independent ethnic grocers or Asda).
Avocado: Choice of variety has just been doubled by the introduction of Pinkerton (seen in Lidl, Sainsburys and Waitrose) from Israel: a green-skin fruit and a good alternative to Hass.
©Good Fruit Guide. Recommendations on fruit varieties and types with the very best taste are personal to the editor of Good Fruit Guide, and do not attempt to be exhaustive or supported by verifiable consumer research. The highlighting of fruit with the very best taste in the opinion of the editor is not intended as a judgement on the taste of varieties and types of fruit not mentioned.