BUYER'S GUIDE: Asian/Exotics 31st Jul - 6th Aug
Asian Vegetables: Short Supply
Water Spinach
Asian Vegetables: Not Available
Asian Celery * Gai Choy * Kachay * Tamarind
Exotic Fruits: Short Supply
Banana Buds/Bell * Dragonfruit * Guava- cooking
Exotic Fruits: Not Available
Asian Plum * Longans * Loquats * Lychee * Pomelos- red * Rambutan * Tamarillo (gold)
BUYER'S GUIDE: 31st Jul - 6th Aug
The overall market is in winter mode and will hold like this for the next few weeksThis will change once the weather warms up in QLD, which is usually around August.
FRUIT: Market Overview
- Ones to watch out for are the melons: Water, Seedless, Rocks & Honeydew. We will see a change by week's end as the NT season kicks in and supply increases however price is expected to remain in the 'high' zone
- Bananas are up slightly due to the cold temp up North
- Local grapes are on the way out- Seeded Black still good buying, Seedless Red & White are now New Season Imported USA fruit
- Citrus is in full swing- Lemon and Limes slightly up, Blood Oranges, Ruby Grapefruit and Oranges- great quality, good eating and priced to suit
VEG: Market Overview
- The cooler temperatures up North are slowing supply on the following lines this week and prices are up; Beans, Green Capsicums, Lebanese Cucumbers, Celery, all Pumpkin, all Tomatoes (ripened fruit hard to source) and Zucchini.
- Picks for the week: Beetroot, Broccoli, Cauliflowers, Carrots, Celeriac, Mushrooms, Parsnips, Silverbeet and Spuds.
- Also most gourmet salad lines are back to normal supply and price
BEST BUYS:
Fruit: Grapes - black seeded (VIC) * Ruby Grapefruit (QLD) * Kiwifruit (NZ) * Mandarins (QLD) * Persimmon (Imp- NZ)
Vegetable: Baby Fennel- bulb (NSW) * Brussel Sprouts (NSW) * Celeriac (VIC) * Portabello Mushroom (NSW) * Sugarsnap Peas (Imp)
SOMETHING DIFFERENT:
Fruit: Buddha Hands (QLD) * Cumquats (QLD) * Grapes- green seedless (Imp- USA) * Green Mangoes (QLD)
Vegetable: Borlotti Beans (QLD) * Choi Sum (NSW) * Jicama aka Water Chestnut (QLD) * Namenko Mushroom (NSW) * Red Banana Capsicum (QLD) * Shimeji Mushroom (NSW)
NOT THIS WEEK:
Short Supply: Butter Bean - yellow * Guava- cooking
Expensive: Honeydew (expensive) * Rockmelon (expensive)
End of Season: Quince
Not Available: Chestnut Mushroom * Baby Ginger
A TASTE OF SOMETHING SWEET
Q: What is the difference between Paw-Paw and Papaya?
There is a common misnomer that Winter is ‘Apple and Pear’ season due to the shortage of bright, tropical summer fruits. In truth, there are a myriad of tropical and other fruit varieties available at the markets during winter; each offering unique textures, flavours and twist to your menu. So over the coming weeks, while pineapples, melons and figs are predicted to be in short supply and up in price why not try something new. Below we have featured a range of fruits that are both good quality and in good supply at the markets – making them smart buying this Winter.
BERRIES:
While berry season (Nov – Feb) is still some time away, we are seeing some lovely fruit at the markets at the moment. QLD strawberries have suffered a little from recent rain and are experiencing some quality issues, however overall supply and standard is good for strawberries, blueberries and raspberries (red).
CARAMBOLA: StarFruit, 5 corner, Bilimbing, Yang Tao
Currently sourced from: QLD
Availability: Available all year- peak production April/May, Jul/Oct, Dec/Jan
Appearance: distinctive 5 winged fruit with waxy green-yellow skin
Flesh: transparent- yellow to white
Flavour: crisp, juicy - sweet (yellow) to slightly tart (green). The edges/tips of the wings have the most acid/tannins and are therefore the most astringent
Selection: firm bright fruit with clean, waxy skin
Preparation: can be eaten fresh - slicing achieves the distinctive star shape for platters, salads, desserts and seafood dishes
CUMQUATS: aka kumquats
Currently sourced from: QLD
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 liqueur
Selection: start to deteriorate once picked so look for robust, bright fruit with no obvious damage on skin
KIWIFRUIT: aka Chinese Gooseberry
Currently sourced from: NZ
Selection: firm, full fruit with no blemishes
Preparation: while many choose to forgo, the entire fruit is edible including the skin
GREEN: Hayward
Availability: Local: Mar-Jul, NZ: Jun-Dec
Appearance: egg shaped fruit with fuzzy, light-brown skin
Flesh: rich green flesh with small edible black seeds
Flavour: tangy, sweet
GOLD:
Availability: Jun – Sept
Appearance: egg shaped fruit with smooth, golden-brown skin
Flesh: gold flesh with less seeds than the green variety
Flavour: sweeter than Haywards
PANAMA PASSIONFRUIT:
Currently sourced from: QLD
Availability: all year
Appearance: lighter purple skin than other varieties, with white flecks
Flesh: orange pulp with lots of hard, black seeds(more pulp than black passionfruit)
Flavour: intensely refreshing- tangy (slightly acidic) flavour
Selection: fruit that is heavy for size, smooth and firm
Preparation: eaten fresh from casing or used in desserts
PAPAYA: aka Paw-Paw
Currently sourced from: QLD
Availability: all year with peaks May/June and Sept/Oct
Appearance: looks like an elongated melon with smooth, thin green-yellow skin
Selection: look for fragrant, well shaped fruit, no discolouration or soft spots
Preparation: unlike many fruits it can be cut without discolouration, eaten fresh, in salads or as a accompaniment to seafood or chicken.
RED PAPAYA:
Appearance: firm, dark orange-red flesh
Flavour: fragrant, sweet, succulent – similar to rockmelon
YELLOW PAW-PAW:
Appearance: rounder & larger than red variety, it has yellow skin and soft yellow flesh
Flavour: fragrant, juicy, sweet- milder than red papaya
GREEN PAPAYA:
Appearance: a green unripe fruit from either varieties listed above (commonly red papaya due to their fuller flavour)
Flavour: oil hands and knife prior to cutting (unripe papaya release a latex fluid which can cause allergic reactions) – used as a vegetable in Asian cuisines, suitable for pickles, salads and vegetables in curries
YELLOW DRAGON FRUIT: aka Pitaya Amarillo, S. megalanthus
Currently sourced from: QLD
Availability: Main fruiting May- Jun – good quality fruit available, will be winding up in next few weeks
Appearance: med–large oval fruit with distinctive yellow skin and pointy scales
Flesh: clear-white with edible black seeds
Flavour: often lauded as the best tasting due to its higher sugar levels- crisp kiwi/melon flavours, delicately sweet and mild
Selection: look for bright fruit that gives slightly under pressure
Preparation: chilled and eaten fresh or used in gelatos, ice-creams, sorbets, cocktails etc
A: Nothing. Paw-Paw and Papaya are actually different varieties of the species Carica papaya- though in Australia we tend to refer to the yellow fruit as ‘paw-paw’ and the red as ‘papaya’. Native to the Americas and first cultivated in Mexico, this tropical fruit is highly nutritious and unfortunately under-used in Australian cuisine due to the popularity of melon varieties.
BUYER'S GUIDE: Asian/Exotics 24th Jul -30th Jul
Asian Vegetables: Short Supply
Water Spinach
Asian Vegetables: Not Available
Asian Celery * Gai Choy * Kachay
Exotic Fruits: Short Supply
Banana Buds/Bell
Exotic Fruits: Not Available
Asian Plum * Fuji Fruit * Longans * Loquats * Lychee * Pomellos- red * Rambutan * Tamarillo (gold)
BUYER'S GUIDE: 24th Jul - 30th Jul
With the market as erratic as the recent weather along the Eastern Seaboard, here is our guide to produce for this week:
FRUIT: Market Overview
- Apples and Pears have stepped up in price, quality and supply no problems.
- Navel Oranges, Grapefruit and Lemons all travelling well, limes holding, Mandarins have firmed due to changing varieties and weather.
- Bananas are affected due to cold nights and wet weather in QLD. Sizing is medium to large.
- Rockmelons & Honeydews are still in short supply and up in price for quality.
- QLD Strawberries have been affected by the weather. Supplies holding with some quality issues.
- All Pineapples have been severely affected due the cold and wet weather, will be the same for the next few weeks.
- Kiwifruits, Pawpaw & Papaya are good eating, well supplied and priced to suit.
- USA cherries excellent quality and good buying
- Figs are in short supply and expensive
- For something different, Cumquats and Buddha hands
- Dried Muscatels are at the end of the season NA
VEG: Market Overview
- Broccoli, Cauliflowers, Iceberg & Cos on the buy list for the week. Quality and price, good to go!
- Gourmet salads, Spinach, Rocket & Mesclun still on the watch list for the next few weeks. Supply limited and quality is ok, prices holding.
- Green & Butter Beans are on the short list, quality is a problem.
- Eggplant, Squash and Zucchini have been affected due to cold snaps and rain, will remain short for the next couple of weeks.
- All pumpkin varieties on the increase.
- All Spuds are in full swing- good buying and great quality.
- Something Different- Broad & Borletti beans & Fennel!
BEST BUYS:
Fruit: Blood Oranges (QLD) *Cherries (Imp- US) * Corella Pears (VIC) * Kiwifruit - bulk (Imp- NZ) * Paw Paw - yellow (QLD)
Vegetable: Broad Beans (NSW) * Broccoli (QLD) * Cauliflower (QLD) * Fennel Bulb- large (VIC) * Iceberg Lettuce (QLD)
SOMETHING DIFFERENT:
Fruit: Buddha Hands (QLD) * Carambola- aka Starfruit (QLD) * Cumquats (QLD) * Dragon Fruit- yellow (QLD)
Vegetable: Borlotti Bean (QLD) * Broad Beans (NSW) * Namenko Mushroom (NSW) * Red Witlof (VIC) * Radicchio Lettuce (NSW) * Russet Burbank Potatoes (TAS)
NOT THIS WEEK:
Short Supply: Chestnut Mushrooms * Pineapple (expensive) * Rockmelon
Not Available: Asparagus - jumbo * Butter Bean - yellow * Muscatel Grapes - dried
PEAR SHAPED
Q: What gives a pear its unique melting texture?
While the cold weather is having an adverse reaction on many fruit and veg lines, apples and pears are a reliable addition to the menu with quality consistent and stock readily available. With harvesting taking place between Jan-May each year, apple and pear varieties have been relatively unaffected by recent weather and therefore will be both good quality and in steady supply over the coming months.
Having recently discussed apple varieties, the bulletin this week explores the pear varieties currently available in Australia. While often overlooked, pears are still a key player in the horticulture industry and are growing in popularity. In fact, Australian pear production increased by 30% last year taking it to more than 123,000 tonnes. While Victoria still accounts for the majority of Australia’s production at 88%, our local farmers are upping the ante with NSW increasing production by 63% in 2010/2011.
The secret to enjoying pears is knowing which pear to eat when. A pear eaten too early is an opportunity missed, as it has not yet had a chance to develop its full flavour and the unique, buttery texture. As stated by Edward Bunyard, author of The Anatomy of Dessert, "The pear must be approached, as its feminine nature indicates, with discretion and reverence; it withholds its secrets from the merely hungry." So with a little reverence, here’s our guide to getting the most of winter pears:
Fast Facts:
Selection: Look for fairly firm, fragrant fruit that is unblemished.
Storage: Store firm, unripe fruit at room temperature until it changes to a ripe yellow and/or gives a little when pressed at the stem. Once ripe, keep in refrigerator and use quickly.
Preparation: Handle gently, pears bruise easily. Once cut, brush surfaces with citrus juice to prevent discolouration prior to serving
BEURRE BOSC:
Available: Mar – Oct, best Apr – May
Appearance: med to largepear with an elongated neck, green-brown skin and a golden-brown russet that darkens as it ripens
Flesh: juicy, white flesh
Flavour: aromatic, sweet, buttery and juicy
Best use: great all-rounder. Suitable for most cooking methods and lovely fresh. Often used for poaching
CORELLA: aka Forelle Pears
Available: April – end August
Appearance: squat with a bright, glossy pink-red blush on green – yellow base
Flesh: tender, soft white to creamy yellow flesh
Flavour: sweet and juicy
Best use: fresh – striking addition to salads
Watch for: sometimes smaller fruit is sold as baby corellas, these retain the unique flavour and are practical for salads and portion control
HONEY: aka Winter Nelis, Quall
Available: Mar - Nov
Appearance: small – medium in size, squat, round pears with green, heavily russetted skin that yellows when ripe
Flesh: creamy white
Flavour: tender, sweet, buttery– very juicy and aromatic
Best use: very versatile- good cooked and fresh
JOSEPHINE: aka Josephine de Malines
Available: Apr –Aug
Appearance: medium sized fruit withlight-green soft skin and slight russet
Flesh: fine grained, creamy yellow-white
Flavour: rich, juicy and very sweet
Best use: excellent fresh eating variety
NASHI PEAR:
Available: Mar – Nov (best May – Aug)
Appearance: medium, round fruit with yellow-green slightly rough skin (can be flecked with white or brown depending on variety)
Flesh: creamy white, crisp and juicy flesh (like an apple)
Flavour: subtly sweet with medium sugar and high acid
Best use: its crisp texture makes it an interesting apple substitute for a variety of dishes (salads, cheese platters) or eaten fresh
PACKHAM: aka Packhams Triumph
Available: Mar – Dec (best- May-Jun)
Appearance: med – large green pear (turns golden yellow when ripe) with a short neck (skin can sometimes appear bumpy)
Flesh: white and slightly firm yet juicy
Flavour: juicy and sweet
Best use: great baked in desserts, poached or fresh
RED D’ANJOU: aka Red Angou
Available: Apr - Nov
Appearance: medium sized, deep red fruit with yellow-green mottling
Flesh: fine, white flesh
Flavour: juicy
Best use: salads
A: It is the unique texture of the pear that sets it apart from its popular pome brethren. From harvest to consumption the quality of a pear is reliant on knowing when to act. If allowed to stay on the tree too long, the pear develops a gritty, coarse texture as it ripens. To avoid this, farmers pick their pears when mature (but not ripe) and then hold them in cold storage (a key step in achieving their unique character) before they hit the markets and begin to ripen naturally. As pears ripen from the inside it can be difficult to gauge when to indulge, but it is worth the wait. If you press the point where the stem meets the neck and if it gives evenly without applying proper pressure – then the pear is ready to melt in your mouth.
BUYER'S GUIDE: Asian/Exotics 17th Jul - 23rd Jul
Asian Vegetables: Short Supply
Asian Celery * Water Spinach
Asian Vegetables: Not Available
Gai Choy * Kachay
Exotic Fruits: Short Supply
Banana Buds/Bell * Pomellos- red * Tamarillo (gold)
Exotic Fruits: Not Available
Asian Plum * Buddha Hands * Longans * Loquats * Lychee * Rambutan
BUYER'S GUIDE: 17th Jul - 23rd Jul
Due to extreme weather patterns over the last 6-8 weeks many lines of fresh produce have been heavily affected. The wet weather experienced before winter delayed plantings, this was followed by extended cool nights, frosts and then more heavy rain.
FRUIT: Market Overview
- Apples and Pears will be unaffected due to the majority of fruit coming out of cold storage
- Citrus fruits (incl. Navel Oranges, Grapefruit and Lemons) are unaffected, yet limes will be firm. Mandarins will be firm due to changing varieties more so than weather
- Avocados and Bananas are affected mostly due to the cold nights rather than the wet . Sizing will remain small and skin dull in colour
- Melons are adversely affected due to the cold nights and rain. NT Honeydew and Rocks are due to start at the end of this week- 19/20 July
- Strawberries have been affected, quality concerns expect
- Pineapples and Bethonga have been severely affected due to lack of sun, cold weather, rain and the inability of growers to pick. Pineapples will be extremely short supply for the next 2-3 weeks
- Blueberries and raspberries are also affected and will remain expensive for the next couple of weeks
VEG: Market Overview
- Wet lines such as iceberg, Cos and celery should be ok. Broccoli has shortened mainly due to the cold. Cauliflowers will have issues
- Salad lines have been severely affected. Rocket is very difficult to get, and Mesclun and baby Spinach have increased in price. These lines will be short for the next 2-3 weeks
- Capsicum have been affected- reds and yellows will have some quality issues. Pricing is stable
- All cabbage lines have been affected due to the inability for farmers to get to the fields to pick. Prices will rise sharply but not for long.
- Beans and Corn have issues in quality and supply. Good beans will be scarce and expensive. Due to the rains, corn hasn’t been sprayed and we are expected to find grubs
- Eggplant, Squash and Zucchini have been affected due to the cold and rain and will remain short for the next couple of weeks
- Cucumbers are good and have not suffered much
- All pumpkin varieties have been affected, especially Jap and Butternut. Theses lines will be in short supply for 3-4 more weeks
- Snow peas and snaps have been affected but pricing remains reasonable
- All Chinese vegetables have been adversely affected. There is planting gaps from previous rain falls. Short supply is another issue.
- Fancy lettuces are smaller in size and in short supply
- Herbs – Basil , chives , mint have been affected but these lines are quick to recover
BEST BUYS:
Fruit: Avocado (QLD) * Kiwifruit - bulk (Imp- NZ) * Oranges - large (QLD) * Panama Passionfruit (QLD)
Vegetable: Broad Beans (NSW) * Celery (VIC) * Parsnip * Telegraph Cucumber (SA) * Russett Burbank Potato (TAS)
SOMETHING DIFFERENT:
Fruit: Cherries (Imp-US) * Blood Oranges (QLD) * Green Mangoes (NT) * Pomello (QLD) * Red Papaya (QLD) * Tamarillo - red (WA)
Vegetable: Borlotti Bean (QLD) * Namenko Mushroom (NSW) * Red Witlof (VIC)
Other: Black Truffles (WA- New Season)
NOT THIS WEEK:
Short Supply: Butter bean- yellow * Chestnut Mushrooms
Short Supply & Expensive: Mesclun Lettuce * Pineapple * Wild Rocket
Expensive: Rockmelon
A TOUCH OF FROST:
Q: Do any produce lines perform better after a frost?
While the recent cold spell and its resulting frosts are producing magnificent black truffles this year, they have had a slightly less desirable affect on the leaf line crops grown along the Eastern Seaboard. The impact of the cold weather is evident in the shorter shelf life and diminished appearance of fresh leaves, as well as smaller size heads/bunches due to stunted growth and farmers trimming frost damaged outer-leaves.
While all coloured lettuce lines are under pressure, Rocket, Mesclun and Baby Cos have really felt the cold and are not up to their usual standard. Stock will be available over the coming weeks, however premium quality gear will be thin on the ground. It’s not all doom and gloom however, some leaf lines are holding up better than others and our bulletin today highlights varieties that are still performing consistently, if not at peak quality. Over the coming weeks, our recommendation for leaf lines is to buy small amounts regularly and in the case of mesclun- make your own mix from individual products (such as Red Mignonette, Red Oak, Cos, Treviso, Green Oak) as this will help ensure a consistently high standard for all varieties of leaf.
COS LETTUCE: aka Romaine
Supply/Performance: Baby Cos unfortunately is feeling the cold, however full size Cos is still available and holding up well
Appearance: cylindrical, head with tightly folded leaves that are light green towards the stalk and mid-dark green at the edges
Flavour: coarser than iceberg with a sweet taste and crisp texture
Best for: sub for baby cos, though not as sweet
GREEN OAK:
Supply/Performance: currently available and consistent quality
Appearance: small head of tender, green leaves (shaped like oakleafs)
Flavour: sweet, mild flavour
Best for: creating your own mesclun mix
ENDIVE:
Supply/Performance: currently in good supply and sound quality
Appearance: rosette of curly light-medium green leaves with serrated edges
Flavour: bitter edge
Best for: subbing for rocket
RADICCHIO:
Supply/Performance: hardier than true lettuce lines, this chicory relative is currently in good supply and sound quality
Appearance: deep red leaves striped by thick white veins
Flavour: slightly bitter with firm leaves
Best for: creating your own mesclun mix, sub for rocket ( bitter leaves) as it can be grilled, fried or used fresh
TREVISO:
Supply/Performance: a winter variety of radicchio this is currently in good supply and sound quality (Peak Season: May-Sept)
Appearance: elongated version of radicchio – similar in shape to cos
Flavour: slightly bitter though milder than other radicchio varieties
Best for: creating your own mesclun mix, sub for rocket ( bitter leaves) as good fresh/cooked
RED OAK:
Supply/Performance: currently available and good quality
Appearance: small head of tender, red leaves (shaped like an oakleaf) on a green stalk
Flavour: mild, sweet
Best for: creating your own mesclun mix
RED CORAL:
Supply/Performance: While green coral isn’t consistent at the moment, red coral is performing quite well albeit noticeably smaller in size
Appearance: loose, wavy leaves that have green stem and dark red leaves
Flavour: mild, delicate sweetness with a slightly bitter edge
Best for: creating your own mesclun mix
RED MIGNONETTE:
Supply/Performance: currently available and good quality
Appearance: crisp, curled purple-red leaves on a green stalk
Flavour: slightly tart
Best for: salads, sandwiches and garnishes
WHITE WITLOF: aka Belgian Endive, chicory
Supply/Performance: currently available and good quality – peak season
Appearance: tightly packed leaves that form a white spear with yellow tips
Flavour: crisp, bitter leaves
Best for: soups, casseroles, stir-fries, pasta, risotto, salads
RED WITLOF:
Supply/Performance: currently available and good quality
Appearance: tightly packed leaves that form a white spear with red tips
Flavour: sharp, slightly bitter taste- crisp leaves
Best for: soups, casseroles, stir-fries, pasta, risotto, salads
A: Absolutely. In addition to truffles (which rely on frosts to develop their unique fragrance), there are a number of other produce lines that reap the benefits of a good cold spell or frost. Carrots and beets (including baby versions) tend to stay underground longer in the cold and as a result are amazingly sweet when harvested. Cabbage lines (kale, brussel sprouts, collard greens) are also cold weather specialists perfect for soups, risottos, pastas or a ‘mixed greens’ side.
BUYER'S GUIDE: Asian/Exotics 10th Jul-16th Jul
Asian Vegetables: Short Supply
Asian Celery * Water Spinach
Asian Vegetables: Not Available
Gai Choy * Kachay
Exotic Fruits: Short Supply
Banana Buds/Bell * Longan * Tamarillo (gold)
Exotic Fruits: Not Available
Asian Plum * Buddha Hands * Cumquats * Loquats * Lychee * Rambutan