PUMPKIN PATCH

Q: How did pumpkins become associated with Halloween?

While they may have started out as cattle-fodder, nowadays the pumpkin features widely in kitchens due to their versatility, shelf-life and cost-efficiency. To meet year-round demand pumpkins are grown in every state of Australia, however nigh on three quarters of the pumpkins consumed domestically are produced in NSW or QLD. In 2010 the Food Service industry accounted for around 17% of fresh pumpkin sales, that equates to a healthy 16,743 tonnes.

The fruit (or culinary vegetable) that Australian’s refer to as ‘pumpkins’ are actually a mix of pumpkins and winter squash from three different species of the Cucurbita genus: Cucurbita Maxima (Jarrahdale, Queensland Blue, Golden Nugget), Cucurbita Moschata (Butternut Pumpkin, Jap) and  Cucurbita Pepo (Sweet Dumpling, Orange Minikin)

Selection: It is the skin of the pumpkin that protects the wonderful orange flesh from deterioration, so avoid any that are scarred, bruised or cracked. Look for a bright, plump pumpkin that is heavy for its size and boasts a thick, hard rind.

 

CUCURBITA MAXIMA:

QUEENSLAND BLUE:

Image: www.marketfresh.com.au

Availability: all year

Appearance: big, heavy, ribbed, deep blue-grey skin and orange flesh

Characteristics: drier that other varieties, full flavoured

Best for: scones, boiling or baking

 JARRAHDALE:

Image: www.woolworths.com.au

Availability: all year

Appearance: large round variety with light blue/grey skin and a lovely deep yellow-orange flesh

Characteristics: cuts easily, sweet, firm flesh

Best for: baking – very moist therefore doesn’t lend well to boiling

 GOLDEN NUGGET:

Image: www.marketfresh.com.au

Availability: all year

Appearance: small, round pumpkin with orange - red, lightly ribbed skin and bright orange flesh

Characteristics: up to 1.5kg/15cm diameter, easily cut – appearance is its main selling point though it has sweet, creamy flesh

Best for: soup or stuffed as a single serve vessel – high seed ratio if you need roasted pumpkin seeds

 

CUCURBITA MOSCHATA:

BUTTERNUT PUMPKIN: aka Butternut Squash

Image: www.moraitis.com.au

Availability: available all year but at best in April, Jul-Aug, Dec-Jan

Appearance: elongated pear shape with smooth, golden-brown skin and orange flesh

Characteristics: dense, dry flesh with a lovely smooth texture and nutty flavour – flavour improves with storage – no need to peel

Best for: everything- especially roasting. Butternut is one of the most popular varieties due to its versatility

 JAP: aka Ken Special, Kent, Delica

Image: www.moraitis.com.au

Availability: all year

Appearance: small mottled green/grey pumpkin (1-3kg), yellow to orange flesh

Characteristics: softer and drier than most, cuts easily and boasts a mild, sweet flavour

Best for: stuff, bake, steam, mash

 

CUCURBITA PEPO:

SWEET DUMPLING:

Image: www.marketfresh.com.au

Availability: all year

Appearance: small pumpkin with white and green stripes and creamy, firm flesh

Characteristics: mildly sweet, honey nut flavour

Best for: perfect for roasting and stuffing

 ORANGE MINIKIN: aka baby pumpkin

Image: www.marketfresh.com.au

Availability: all year

Appearance: small, squat pumpkin, with ribbed, orange skin and yellow-light orange flesh

Characteristics: high seed content, ideal for hollowing and using as a single serve vessel

Best for: baking whole and stuffing with a savoury meat or rice filling – soups or roast the seeds

A: Samhain (All Hallows Eve) was believed to be the day that the souls of the departed (good and bad) were free to roam amongst us. It was Celtish tradition on this day to carve ‘Jack-o-Lanterns’ to both welcome the souls of loved ones and ward off unwelcome spirits. Traditionally Jack-o-lanterns were carved from beets, turnips or potato, however when almost ¾ million people fled to America during the Irish potato famine they brought the tradition but not the beets or gourds to carve. Therefore the pumpkin (native to central and south America) became a larger, easily accessible substitute.  

 

 


BUYER'S GUIDE: Asian/Exotics 29th May - 5th June

Asian Vegetables: Short Supply

Asian Celery * Gai Choy * Tamarind * Water Spinach

Asian Vegetables: Not Available

Kachay 

Exotic Fruits: Short Supply

Cumquats * Longans * Tamarillo (gold)*

Exotic Fruits: Not Available

Asian Plum * Green Mangoes * Lychee * Red Pomelos * Rambutan


BUYER'S GUIDE: 29th May - 4th June

The market is in good shape this week with only some slight issues. Mainly Strawberries and Tomatoes but the rest is good to go. The problems with Strawberries & Tomatoes is the VIC & SA fruit is more backward with greener bums and the QLD fruit is rain affected- but the good news is... both are back in price! 

FRUIT:

Much the same as last week but with increased supply on some lines bringing prices back into play. These lines are all Berries, Watermelons and Honeydews with the staples still going strong. Apples, Pears, Bananas, Grapes, Mandarins, Kiwifruit, Pineapples, Papaw and New Season Navel Oranges are good buying and great quality. 

VEGIES:

With the rain and cooler weather in the QLD growing areas, some items will be affected but no shortage is expected. Beans, Corn, Capsicums, Gold Squash and Iceberg Lettuce are the main products affected- and as said Tomatoes are back in price but still nothing over the top quality wise. Everything else good to go. 

New season USA Cherries in stock now (and for the next 7 weeks) and we should have the first of the Australian Truffles by end of next week. 


BEST BUYS:

Fruit: Apple- delicious (VIC) * Banana- cavendish (QLD)  * Mandarin (QLD) * Paw Paw- yellow (QLD) * Watermelon - seedless (QLD)

Vegetable: Beetroot (QLD) * Celery (VIC) * Cocktail Chats Potato (SA) * Heirloom Tomatoes (NSW) * Mushroom - button (NSW) 

SOMETHING DIFFERENT:

Fruit: Blood Limes (NSW) * Cherries (Imp- US) * Mango (IMP) * Tangello (QLD)

Vegetable: Asparagus - white (IMP) * Black Radish (NSW) * Habanero Chilli (NSW) * King Brown Mushrooms (IMP) * Roquette Lettuce (NSW) * Roman Beans (NSW)

NOT THIS WEEK:

Short Supply: Chestnut Mushroom * Yellow Butter Bean * Yellow Zucchini 

Not Available: Blood Oranges * Longan


INTO THE WILD

Q: What is the link between wild Morel Mushrooms and fire?

From the bright colours and juicy flavours of Winter Citrus we bring your the rich, earthy tones of the season’s gourmet fungi.  Simon George & Sons is excited to be able to offer a delicious range of imported wild mushrooms and Australian truffles this season. Well and truly at the gourmet end of the spectrum, these fungi hold a privileged status in the culinary world due to their rich flavours, textures and short seasons.

WILD MORELS:

Image: Waimea Trading

Availability: Imported: approx the next 3-4 weeks (usually April-May), Australian: Aug-early Oct

Appearance: morels are hollow with a distinctive spongy, honeycomb like cap that ranges in colour from gold to grey/brown

Preparation: toxic raw– clean by rinsing briefly under a very gentle flow of water and dry straight away- sweat the mushrooms until cooking water evaporates then prepare as desired (sauté/braise)

Flavour: smoky, nutty, mushroom flavour and aroma

 

WILD MOUSSERON: aka Gambi, Fairy Rings

Image: Waimea Trading

Availability: Apr - NovAppearance: small, delicate stem with an off-white to light brown cap that boasts widely separated, delicate gills.

Preparation: hold up well to longer cooking times due to the firm cap, lovely sautéed

Flavour: earthy full-bodied flavour and firm, fleshy texture

 

ITALIAN PORCINI: aka Boletus, Cépe

Image; Waimea Trading

Availability: approx the next 3-4 weeksAppearance: meaty, swollen looking white stem and slightly slimy, brown cap- the tight tubes under the cap should be yellow to green (don’t buy brown as this indicates they are overripe)

Preparation: brush clean or wipe with damp cloth (best not to wash) then stew, sauté, BBQ, stuff or grill

Flavour: rich, nutty flavour and meaty texture

 

AUSTRALIAN TRUFFLES: Superior Black Perigord Truffle

Image: Wine and Truffle Co

Availability: early Jun – end August (WA, TAS VIC/NSW)Appearance: a black, wrinkled tuber- sold by weight the smallest are about the size of a golf ball

Preparation: a precious commodity, truffle is used sparingly-similarly to a herb- finely chopped or shaved into pastas, seafood or egg dishes that will showcase the unique truffle flavour

Storage: truffles have a shelf-life of around 3 weeks. To ensure maximum longevity, wrap in paper towel, sit in an airtight container and place in the refrigerator (preferably crisper) – change paper towel daily. Unless you deliberately want to infuse eggs/mushrooms with the distinct truffle aroma, ensure they are stored in their own container as the aroma will permeate anything in close quarters

Flavour: highly perfumed, truffles have a sweet, earthy aroma and savoury, slightly nutty flavour

 

A: Morel Mushrooms are found in abundance in areas that have recently (within the last 2-3 years) experienced a bush or forest fire. While there is still some confusion as to why this is, the basic explanation revolves around the existing morel fungus moving on from its burnt, dead or dying host. Essentially, the fruiting body (mushroom) of the morel fungus appears when the tree to which they are linked stops keeping up its end of the bargain. The fungus withdraws from its host and in doing so, forms sclerotia (nodules) on the roots. Given the right conditions (warmth and moisture), these then swell and the morel mushroom appears on the surface.

 


BUYER'S GUIDE: 22nd - 28th May

 

The market overall is settling in for what looks to be a good winter season across both fruit and veggies. Citrus is in abundance, vegetable are in good supply and supply and demand is matching across the range... except for Tomatoes, which we will see back in play within the next 2 weeks. 

FRUIT:

No real shorts at all, Rockmelons, Strawberries and Raspberries still holding up in price, but no problems with supply.  Plenty to choose from including the imports- USA Cherries, Mexican Mangoes and NZ Gold Kiwi. Also, we will see the first of the USA grapes by middle of next month and with the change in import requirements, they will be cheaper and better quality than in the past!  Aussie Blood Oranges will be available beginning of June.

VEGIES:

Just a couple on the upper end of price, but no problems with supply: Broccoli, Red Capsicums (quality), Cucumbers, and Tomatoes (quality and price)!! All the colours are there, the quality is sound and priced to suit.

The cooler weather is affecting the edible flowers supply and limiting the range. On an exciting note, we should see the first of the Aussie Truffles by the second week of June if not earlier and the word is we could be in for our best season (quality wise) to date!!

BEST BUYS:

Fruit: Avocado (QLD) * Beurre Bosc Pears (VIC)  * Cherries (imported) * Grape - red seedless (VIC) * Watermelon - seedless (QLD)

Vegetable: Button Mushrooms (NSW) * Carrot - med/lge (TAS) * Cocktail Chat Potatoes (SA) * Green Beans (QLD) * Heirloom Tomatoes

SOMETHING DIFFERENT:

Fruit:  Gold Kiwifruit (Imp- NZ) * Tangello (QLD)

Vegetable: Baby Turnip (NSW) * Borlotti Bean (QLD) * French Radish (NSW) * Hawaiian Sweet Potato (QLD) * Morel Mushroom- fresh  (Imp) * Porcini Mushroom- fresh (Imp) * Purple Dutch Carrot (NSW) * Red Witlof (VIC)

NOT THIS WEEK:

Short Supply: Chestnut Mushroom * Raspberries (expensive ) * Yellow Oyster Mushrooms

Not Available: Blood Oranges * Purple Asparagus


ZEST FOR LIFE

Q: Other then fighting scurvy what are citrus fruits good for?

The citrus industry is one of the most important horticultural industries in Australia producing approximately 600,000 tonnes of fruit each year. In fact the citrus fruit industry is our largest fresh fruit exporter, generating over $200 million annually for our economy. If you’re a little closer to home and looking to add vibrant colour and flavour to your winter menu- you’re in luck- as our citrus farmers have a wonderful array of fruits that will get the juices flowing. Beyond the delicious and much-loved Navel Oranges and Mandarins, the winter chill also brings out the bitter-sweet goodness in blood oranges, pomelos, grapefruit, lemons, tangelos or for those adventurous few – Buddha hands.  

NAVEL ORANGES:

Image Source: www.marketfresh.com.au

Main Growing Areas: Murray Valley, Riverina and Riverland

Availability: Apr – Nov, best May - Sept

Appearance: round, seedless fruit with a thick orange rind and belly-button formation at the blossom end  

Flesh: orange, segmented flesh with distinct section at the blossom end - full of flavour

Flavour: juicy, sweet- excellent eating

Selection: look for bright, plump fruit that is heavy for size

Inspiration: Orange and salt cod saladVogue Entertaining + Travel

Click for Recipe!

 

BLOOD ORANGES:

Image Source: www.marketfresh.com.au

Availability: Jun - Aug

Appearance: medium sized fruit with orange skin and red blush

Flesh: orange- red flesh (contains anthocyanins- which produce the rich colour)

Flavour: sweet, juicy and less acidic that regular oranges

Selection: look for bright, plump fruit that is heavy for size

Inspiration: Buttermilk Panna Cotta with Blood Orange Confit Panna Cotta – LA Mag

Click for recipe!

 

MANDARINS:

Image: freepik.com

Main Growing Areas: QLD (65% of total Aussie production), Griffith, Sunraysia

Availability: Apr – Aug

Selection: look for plump, bright fruit, heavy for size

Main varieties: Imperial, Murcott, Ellendale, Hickson & Taylor-Lee

Imperial: Apr - Jun

Appearance: yellow-orange slightly bumpy skin, medium size (easy peel & low seed)

Flavour: very sweet, balanced flavour and lovely perfume

Murcot (Honey Murcott): July to late Aug/Sept

Appearance: medium-large fruit with smooth, orange, thin skin

Flavour: sweet and juicy- good eating

Ellendale: Jun - Jul

Appearance: rich orange, medium-large, smooth skin

Flavour: very tangy- (high sugar and acid levels)

Hickson: late May – late Jul

Appearance: medium-large with a slight neck, wrinkled, orange skin with a reddish tinge (easy peel)

Flavour: sweet and very juicy – good eating

Taylor-Lee: Jun – Jul/Aug

Appearance: medium-large with a slight neck, tight orange skin with a reddish tinge (easy peel)

Flavour: rich, sweet – top quality eating

Inspiration: Spanner crab kinilaw recipe – Peter Kuruvita via SBSFood

Click for Recipe!

 

LEMONS:

Image: www.freepik.com

Availability: all year, at best Mar – Oct

Appearance: oval, light green to yellow fruit (some have distinct point)

Flesh: pale yellow

Flavour: acidic, tangy fruit

Varieties: Lisbon (most common variety) is smooth skinned and tangy, while the Eureka variety has bumpy skin, an obvious neck and is tart in flavour

Selection: look for plump, bright fruit, heavy for size

Inspiration: Lemon parfait, fennel pollen ice cream, fennel granita, and olive oil jelly - Adam Simmonds via Great British Chefs

Click for Recipe

 

TANGELO:

Image Source: www.taste.com.au

Availability: Jul- Nov

Appearance: large fruit with thin, orange skin and a distinct neck (easy peel and segment)

Flesh: very juicy, segmented flesh that is virtually seedless

Flavour: a cross between a grapefruit and a mandarin the tangelo is tangy and very juicy (still sweet but slightly more tart than a mandarin)

Selection: look for bright, undamaged skin, plump fruit that is heavy for size

Inspiration: Grilled tangelos with pistachio brittle – Sydney Morning Herald

Click for Recipe!

 

POMELO: aka pummelo

Image Source: www.marketfresh.com.au

Availability: White variety:  Mar – Nov, Pink variety: Jun - Nov

Appearance: large fruit with a very thick skin that is light green-yellow (thick skin means a good shelf life)

Flesh: segmented like a mandarin, flesh is juicy and varies in colour from yellow to pink

Flavour: sweet and tangy- lacks the bitterness of grapefruit and is great for juicing, salads, desserts or even preserving

Selection: look for bright, undamaged skin, plump fruit that is heavy for size

InspirationPomelo, banana blossom and roast pork salad – Geoff Lindsay via Gourmet Traveller

Click for Recipe!

 

GRAPEFRUIT:

Availability: available all year, at best Apr – Nov

Selection: look for plump, bright fruit, heavy for size

Image Source: www.agriculturalproductsindia com

Marsh Seedless:

Appearance: yellow skin

Flesh: pale yellow flesh, no seeds

Flavour: mildly tangy and sweet- great for marinades

Pink Marsh: aka Thompson

Appearance: yellow skin

Flesh: light pink flesh with no seeds

Flavour: sweet when ripe

Ruby: aka Red Blush, Ruby Red

Image Source: www.gofor2and5.com.au

Appearance: smooth skin with a strong red blush

Flesh: juicy, dark orange–red segmented flesh

Flavour: sweeter than yellow brethren- wonderful fresh, juiced or in salads

InspirationSwordfish carpaccio with pink grapefruit and pink peppercorns – Gourmet Traveller

Click for Recipe!

 

BUDDHA HANDS: aka Fingered Citron

Image Source: www.johnvenaproduce.com

Availability: Jun - Oct

Appearance: has a thick yellow skin (rind) and finger like tendrils coming from the stem end

Flesh: none to speak of

Flavour: fragrant, lemon- skin is bitter but pith underneath is quite sweet

Selection: look for bright, undamaged fruit with a good aroma

Inspiration: Grilled coral trout with pickled Buddha’s hands – Gourmet Traveller

Click for Recipe

 

MARUMI CUMQUATS: aka Kumquat, Kinkan

Image Source: www.marketfresh.com.au

Availability: autumn/winter

Appearance: small orange fruits with a thin peel that are round-oval in shape

Flesh: segmented yellow-orange flesh

Flavour: intense, sweet-sour flavour,- most often candied, glazed or preserved though can be eaten fresh or even in liquer

Selection: start to deteriorate once picked so look for robust, bright fruit with no obvious damage on skin

Inspiration: Grilled chicken with late-picked wine and cumquats – Stephanie Alexander via Sydney Morning Herald

Click for Recipe!

 

A: While you’d be hard pressed to develop scurvy these days, strokes are our second single greatest killer and on the rise due to an aging population. Which is why a recent study by Norwich Medical School (UK) finding women who consumed higher levels of citrus fruit (especially grapefruit and oranges) had a 19% less chance of suffering a ischemic (blood-clot related) stroke is so exciting. It is believed the high levels of vitamin C/flavonoids (antioxidant) present in citrus fruits and juices, help prevent stroke by improving blood vessel function and acting as an anti-inflammatory agent on the body.     


BUYER'S GUIDE: Asian/Exotics 15th - 21st May

Asian Vegetables: Short Supply

Asian Celery * Gai Choy * Shiso Leaf * Water Spinach

Asian Vegetables: Not Available

Kachay * Tamarind

Exotic Fruits: Short Supply

Buddha Hands * Cumquats * Figs * Loquats * Tamarillo (gold)*

Exotic Fruits: Not Available

Asian Plum * Green Mangoes * Longan * Lychee * Red Pomelos * Rambutan

 


BUYER'S GUIDE: 15th - 21st May

 

Tomato Agent's dream as prices go through the roof!!

Supply is short but the abnormally high figure is driven by the Market Agents not the farmer. Ever since we grew accustomed to crazy prices for fresh produce after the first QLD cyclone, the market agents are quick to jump- especially Tomato Agents!! In short, tomatoes are available this week but are over the top in price!

As for the rest of the market, very little change. Some slight increases matched by an equal amount of decreases.

FRUIT:

One to watch again this week is Strawberries- which are still holding ground but will come back over the next few weeks.

Rockmelons are still up in price but quality is good- plenty to cover for them this week. Both Watermelons are down in price, as are Honeydews.

Apples, Pears, Kiwifruit & Gold Kiwi, imported Dates, Mandarins, imported Mangoes, New Season Navel Oranges, Pineapples, Dragonfruit & Pomegranates! Go the Fruit!

VEGIES:

Red Light on Tomatoes where possible!

Other ones to watch: Rocket will be available, supply is down, price is up- same with good Lebanese Cucumbers! Sub Gold Squash for Yellow Zucchinis. Baby Caps (Red and Vine Sweet) are NA, the rest is clear.

Artichokes, Cauliflowers, Beetroot, Brussels Sprouts, Chinese Cabbage, Celery, Celeriac, Chillies, Eggplant, Leeks, Mushrooms, Peas, Sweet Corn, Sweet Potatoes & Zucchini- all good to go.

News: USA Cherries by the end of the week!!

 

BEST BUYS:

Fruit: Avocado (QLD) * Gold Kiwifruit (imported) * Mangoes (imported) * Navel Oranges - lge (SA) * Watermelon - seedless (QLD)

Vegetable: Celery (VIC) * Fresh Green Peas (VIC) * Leek - lge (VIC) * Portabello Mushrooms (NSW) * Red Spanish Onion (SA)

SOMETHING DIFFERENT:

Fruit: Golden Delicious Apples (VIC) * Cumquats (QLD) * Feijoas (NSW) * Guava (QLD) * Pomegranate (VIC) * Quince (QLD)

Vegetable: Honeycomb - full frame (QLD) * Jap Pumpkins (QLD) * Red Witlof (VIC) * Slippery Jack Mushrooms (NSW)

NOT THIS WEEK:

Short Supply: Raspberries (expensive ) * Wild Rocket

Not Available: Baby Red Capsicum * Blood Oranges * Yellow Zucchini


Local farmer pruning a fruit tree to get ready to supply fruit to a Simon George & Sons fruit wholesaler in Brisbane.

WINTER HARVEST

Q: Can you really buy Artichoke brandy?

Recently a fellow food lover lamented that Winter was a “boring time of year for fruit and veg, there just isn’t much to get excited about”. I can understand the sentiment, at this time of year the markets are brimming with root vegetables, cabbages, apples, pears- all wonderfully delicious and versatile but somehow less exotic and alluring than Summer’s bounty. So, in a bulletin designed to kickstart your love affair with winter produce- we are profiling ‘5 Winter lines’ that the team at SG&S are excited about this year and sharing delicious recipes that showcase the delightful potential of these fantastic Winter finds. In the words of Pietro Aretino, “Let us love the winter, for it is the Spring of genius”.

 

WINTER FLAVOURS:

CITRUS:

The winter citrus season is upon us. Mandarins are at the markets and fantastic eating, as are navel oranges. All signs point to a bumper crop this year.

Supply: Mainly QLD and NSW

Mandarins: while available from March – November, these are at their best May – October

Navel Oranges: the winter orange these are available Jun, July and Aug

Blood Oranges: available Jun – late August

Click for Inspiration

 

ARTICHOKES:

While we are still early in the season; globes, baby globes and Jerusalem artichokes are currently available at the markets. They wont be at their nutty best for a few more weeks, but are still a wonderful addition to the menu.

Supply: Mainly NSW and VIC

Baby globe artichokes: good local stock arriving at the markets- at their best Jun- Aug

Globe Artichokes: still early but available. Peak product will be at the markets from June - Sept

Jerusalem Artichokes: already available, at their best from June – Sept

Click for Inspiration

 

USA CHERRIES:

The USA cherry season is always welcome, as it helps us survive the long wait until the Australian season starts up again in November. Expect more lush Bing fruit and creamy Rainiers again this year

Supply: California, Washington and Oregon

Early fruit will be available from next week, with the season traditionally spanning Jun – Aug

Click for Inspiration

 

TURNIPS/SWEDES:

While many believe them to be old-fashioned and dull, in our minds the delicious Tassie Swedes and local Turnips currently at the markets are vintage gourmet. Their peppery flavour and creamy texture, in addition to their nutritional value and affordability makes turnips and swedes a winter favourite at SG&S.

Supply: Turnips – NSW/VIC, Swedes - TAS

Despite being available all year, the cold weather works wonders for these root veges, meaning turnips, baby turnips and swedes are at their best May – Oct

Click for Inspiration

 

TRUFFLES:

While the Australian Truffle industry is relatively young, producers are unearthing spectacular, premium grade truffles from sites across WA and TAS (with small numbers harvested in NSW/ACT and VIC). In fact, last year around 3 tonnes of this noble, perfumed fungus was grown and sold in Australian markets. We can only hope that 2012 sees another bountiful harvest.

Supply: WA and TAS

Following a wonderful season in 2011, 2012 is looking to be just as promising for Australian Truffles with fresh, aromatic truffles expected to be in good supply from early June to August

Click for inspiration!

 

Other items of note for Winter: Star Apple (Jun- Nov), brassicas (in particular cauliflower) are predicted to be top performers this season due to the cold weather. Beans (broad and borlotti) are also expected to have a great winter with main supply now starting.

A: Yes. Known as Rossler it is an alcoholic beverage made from fermented and distilled Jerusalem Artichokes. This nutty-sweet brew has been produced in Baden, Germany since the 1800s and to this day  90% of all Jerusalem Artichokes harvested in the area are dedicated to producing this brandy like spirit.


BUYER'S GUIDE: 8th May - 14th May

 

The cooler weather and the changeover of growing areas is affecting some products (these will hold throughout winter or come back into play once the QLD season switches on in 3 to 4 weeks time).

Main products affected:

Figs: Price on the move and supply slowing as the season comes to an end. SGS will have supply right throughout winter, just watch the cost from June onwards

Grapes: Quality Seedless White and Coloured on the move up in price

Honeydew: QLD season has commenced and it is expected price, quality and supply will hold as is for the winter

Rockmelon: QLD season has commenced, price will hold till the season get into full swing in the next 3 to 4 weeks

Strawberries: Limited supplies at present- eating quality just okay and price right up there. Will change with the QLD Season commencing early June

Tomatoes: QLD- Bowen season about 3 weeks away, expect market to stay high till then

Watermelons: Quality is better in the small size melons for both varieties, price back this week

FRUIT:

Honeydews, Rockmelons & Strawberries the 3 main products to watch out for- price and quality.

Prime Products are Apples, Pears, Citrus, Hass Avocados, Bananas, Pineapples, Kiwifruit, Imported Dates, Dragonfruit, Pomegranates, Pomelos  & Quince.

VEGIES:

Tomatoes, Gold Squash, Red Witlof, Gourmet Rocket & Spinach are the mains ones to watch this week- quality, supply and price. Rocket will be short due to poor weather down south.

Prime Products are Artichokes, Beans - Broad, Borlotti, Continental & Green, Broccolini, Cauliflowers, Celery, Eggplant, Cos and Iceberg Lettuce, Button Mushrooms, Sweet Potatoes & Zucchini.   

News from WA: Bumper Truffle crop expect this coming season, peaking in July!

 

BEST BUYS:

Fruit: Bethonga Pineapple (QLD) * Californian Dates (Import) * Granny Smith Apples- med (VIC) * Kiwifruit- bulk buy (VIC) * Mandarin (QLD)

Vegetable: Baby Broccoli (VIC) * Button Mushrooms (NSW) * Celeriac (NSW) * Silverbeet (NSW)- Sweet Potato - lge (QLD)

SOMETHING DIFFERENT:

Fruit: Feijoas (NSW) * Longans (Import) * Mangoes (Import) * Pears - Beuure Bosc (VIC) * Pears - Honey(VIC)

Vegetable: Baby Dutch Carrot (NSW) * Baby Globe Artichoke (NSW) * Habanero Chili- HOT (NSW) * Honeycomb - full frame (QLD) * Portabello Mushroom (NSW)

NOT THIS WEEK:

Short Supply: Red Witlof

Not Available: Baby Red Capsicum * Green Mangoes * Oyster Mushroom- Pink * Oyster Mushroom- Yellow