Market Updates
🌿In Season This August🌿
Fruits:
Discovery & Bramley Apples - English crop, just appeared on the market.
Strawberries – British strawberries continue to impress. Still sweet and vibrant, though the season is beginning to slow. Prices remain low for now.
Blackberries, Raspberries & Blueberries – English-grown soft fruits are at their peak. Raspberries are packed with flavour and blueberries are abundant. Great quality and value.
Cherries – English cherries are nearing the end of their season. Flavour remains excellent but prices are starting to climb.
Peaches, Nectarines, Apricots – Spanish stone fruits are still rich, juicy, and fragrant. Quality may start to vary as we move into late August.
Plums – English plums (Victoria, Opal) are now in full swing. Flavour is brilliant and prices are starting to ease.
Green Gages – Now tasting exceptional. Supply is good and prices are more stable.
Melons – Galia, Cantaloupe, and Watermelons from Spain and Italy continue to deliver on sweetness and value.
Figs – Turkish figs are in now. Lusciously ripe and perfect for cheese boards or desserts.
Lychees - Pretty damn good.
Vegetables:
Tomatoes – Heritage, cherry, and vine tomatoes are tasting top-notch. Pricing is firm but fair. Lovely mixed cherry vine from English grower Dinkies is still going/
Rainbow Chard & Swiss Chard – Beautiful English-grown bunches full of colour and nutrients.
Cauliflowers – Good quality but tighter supply is pushing prices up.
Broccoli – English supply is stable and fresh, but pricing remains high.
Beetroot – Abundant in red, golden and candy-striped varieties. Brilliant quality.
Carrots – Maincrop English carrots are now the go-to. Good flavour and pricing.
Courgettes (Green & Yellow) – Still in peak season. Courgette flowers still around, though more limited.
Runner Beans & Bobby Beans – Quality holding up, but prices are high due to shorter supply.
Baby/Globe Artichokes – Nearing the end. Limited availability – use alternatives soon.
Hispi Cabbage & Spring Greens – Fresh and tender. A light, versatile option for summer menus.
Cucumbers – English cucumbers still performing well. Crook varieties also available. Prices remain a little elevated.
New Potatoes – Regional new potatoes are brilliant right now. Waxy and full of flavour.
Lettuce Varieties – Little Gem, Cos and Iceberg are all holding well despite the warmer weather.
Spinach – Great quality now coming in - bright green and tender.
Samphire – Coastal samphire still available and excellent. Great addition to seafood or summery veg plates.
Radishes – English bunches remain crisp, spicy and colourful.
Watercress – Still holding up well and offering bold, peppery notes.
Spring Onions – English-grown and reliable, offering great flavour and bite.
Aubergines & Peppers – English-grown, slightly smaller but rich in flavour. Great for grilling.
Roquette, Mixed Leaf, Baby Spinach – Still strong across the board. Excellent value and quality.
Sweetcorn (on the cob) – UK corn is now sweet, juicy and in excellent supply.
Girolle Mushrooms – Scottish and European supply continues. Rich flavour and striking presentation.
English Squashes – Coming through early this year. Mixed boxes of Harlequin, Spaghetti, and others now available, though prices are still high.
Organic Patty Pans – Fresh in from Bedlam Farms. Great shape, colour and value – a lovely seasonal addition.
Padron Peppers - Lovely taste to these at the moment and good value for money.
❌Out of Season❌
Fruits:
Gooseberries – Season now finished.
Redcurrants & Blackcurrants – English supply has ended. Limited Dutch redcurrants available, but at a premium and not quite the same.
UK Pears (Conference, Williams) – Not yet available. Imports are expensive and variable in quality.
Rhubarb – Now completely done for the year.
Citrus Fruits – European citrus out of season. South African oranges, lemons, and grapefruit in use. Limes still volatile and high.
Vegetables:
Peas & Broad Beans – Season ending early due to heat stress. Limited supply and pricing not justifiable. Best to switch off menus now.
Leeks – Out of season until autumn.
Onions (Spanish, Red, Shallots) – Crop issues continue in Spain. Market remains tight and prices are unpredictable.
Jersey Royals - Starting to finish up now.
