BUYER'S GUIDE: 25th Sept - 3rd Oct
MARKET SUMMARY: Fruit
The Buy list: Granny Smith & Delicious Apples, Bananas, Blueberries, Ruby Grapefruit, Honeydews, Kiwifruit, Mandarins, Nashi, Beurre Bosc & Packham Pears, Blood Oranges, Navel Oranges, Red Papaya, Pineapples, Rockmelons, Rhubarb, Strawberries, Watermelons: Seedless and Longs.
The Watch List: Import Grapes (Quality), Figs (PRICE), Lime (Price), Passionfruit (Price), Mulberries (Quality).
Market Insights: The appearance of the early season Peaches and Nectarines is now more consistent but the eating quality is low, 5/10 at best therefore still on hold as a buy. NZ Hass Avocado season is on, quality is good with oil content just under par as expected for early season supply, local Avocado eating quality is much better. Bananas, Blueberries, Pineapples, Red Papaya and Rockmelons are in solid supply. NT Mangoes all systems go. New Season Loquats in stock as are QLD Gooseberries, both sold by 250gm punnets. Lime price has eased with Lemons just starting to increase slightly. Grapes are a mixed bag, locals are the best buying in terms of quality with Imported USA being better priced. Strawberries now being supplied from WA & QLD. USA Pomegranates are now available.
MARKET SUMMARY: Vegetables
The Buy list: Aussie Asparagus in full supply. Broad Beans in good supply now & for the next few weeks- great quality in addition to well priced. Same with Baby Beetroot, Dutch Carrots & Baby Gold Beetroot. Telegraph Cucumbers, Celery, Chicory, Rapi, Chinese Leaf Veg, Celeriac, Fennel Large, Leeks, All Lettuce, Button Mushrooms, Snow & Snap Peas, Gourmet Salad Lines, Silverbeet, Swedes, Sweet Potatoes and Spuds and Onions.
The Watch List: Red Capsicums (Price), Brussels Sprouts (Size and Price), Tomatoes (Price), Jarrahdale Pumpkin (Price), Heirloom Tomatoes (Supply).
Market Insights: Artichoke season will end in about 6 weeks with limited supply after that. Aussie Asparagus in full swing- Jumbo, Medium, Thin and No2 (No2 sold by 6kg box). Brussels Sprouts, size is BIG, quality sound. Red Capsicums price on the decrease. Baby Veg in good supply. All Chinese Leaf Veg are good buying, locally supplied. Edible flowers, full range, fresh stocks arrive Monday, Wednesday & Fridays with special orders requiring notice. Local Herbs- good supply, Angelica from QLD with notice. All wet lines (Lettuce, Celery, Cabbage, Cauliflowers, Leeks etc) excellent quality with supply overriding demand. Mushrooms- buttons, cookers, flats, cups & Portobello in ready to roll and priced to suit. Tomatoes, yes the longest they have held this money ever...painful to say the least. NZ season commences with supply here as of next Tuesday, QLD supply now on the increase....Amen! Pumpkin, Jap and Butternut still better buying then Jarrahdale. Aussie garlic season not far off!
BEST BUYS:
Fruit: Cavendish Bananas (QLD) * Red Papaya (QLD) * Rockmelon (QLD/NT) * Ruby Blush Grapefruit (QLD) * Watermelon (QLD)
Vegetable: Asparagus- medium (VIC) * Broad Bean (NSW) * Flat field Mushrooms (NSW) * Silverbeet (NSW) * Telegraph Cucumber (QLD)
SOMETHING DIFFERENT:
Fruit: Bell Apples (QLD) * Green Mangoes (NT) * Gooseberries (QLD) * Loquats (NSW) * Pomegranate (IMP)
Vegetable: Baby Gold Beetroot- bunch (NSW) * Black Kumato Tomato (QLD) * Lettuce- Purslane (NSW) * Vine Sweetened baby Capsicum (QLD) * Yellow Cherry Tomatoes (QLD)
NOT THIS WEEK:
Not Available: Dragon Fruit * Fuji Fruit * Guava * Beef Oxheart tomatoes * Heirloom tomatoes * Honeycomb Full Frame
MANGO MAGIC
Q: What does Paisley pattern have to do with Mangoes?
It’s easy to tell when mangoes are in full swing at the Sydney Markets, not only are the luscious yellow fruits clearly in abundance but their sweet, tropical aroma literally takes over the Flemington site, distracting buyers and visitors with early morning visions of cocktails and beach holidays. While we’re a while off that stage yet, the first of the Kensington Pride mangoes from the Northern Territory have arrived at the markets. They are in good supply, good quality and eating at around an 8/10. To get your juices flowing for the peak mango season and its signature aroma, this week we are sharing inspirational recipes and flavour combinations that capture the essence of this nutritional, delicious and iconic fruit.
Mango varieties: For more information on the individual mango varieties and when to expect them, click here.
The Feel Good Factor: A 200 g mango provides up to 3x the RDI of Vit A and Vit C. They are also a rich source of fibre and potassium and provide more of the anti-oxidant beta-carotene than any other fruit
Something Light:
Crunchy Jicama and Mango salad with Chile and Lime
Source: Tyler Florence via Lifestyle Food
NB: With Jicama (yam bean) and mango both in season until December, this crunchy combination of flavours is ideal for a Spring salad. To find out more about Jicama, click here
Mango salsa and coconut heart salad
Source: Peter Kuravita via SBS Food
NB: This salad offers a wonderful blend of flavours. While coconut hearts can be a little hard to come by, never fear as granny smith apples are offered as a good replacement
Tahitian snapper tartare
Source: Robert Oliver via NZ Herald
Something Substantial:
Tali Macchi
Source: Alfred Prasad via Great British Chefs
Duck and Mango curry, plus lemon and curry leaf rice
Source: Yotam Ottolenghi via Guardian.co.uk
Seared Tuna with Mango Salsa (Ca Tu Chien)
Source: Luke Nguyen via SBS Food
Something Sweet:
Caramel mille feuille, mango and gold leaf press and crystalised chilli
Source: Frances Atkins via Great British Chefs
Young coconut jelly and burnt mango cream with pandanus macaroons
Source: Martin Boetz via Gourmet Traveller
Something Refreshing:
Ceylon Sailor
Source: Wayne Collins via BBC Food
Mango, ginger and lemongrass cordial
Source: Gourmet Traveller
A: The pattern we all know as Paisley (due to the market dominance of the weavers from Paisley, Scotland during the 1800s) was actually created in India where it was inspired by the shape of the mango- which in India is considered to be a divine food of the Gods symbolising love. In Tamil the paisley pattern is called ‘Mankolam’ (mango design), in Punjabi it is called ‘Ambi’ which derives from ‘Amb’ (mango) and in Pakistan it is called the ‘Carrey ‘ design with the word ‘Carrey’ meaning mango seed in Urdu.
BUYER'S GUIDE: Asian/Exotics 18th - 24th September
Asian Vegetables: Short Supply
Gai Choy * Tamarind * Water Spinach
Asian Vegetables: Not Available
Asian Celery * Kachay
Exotic Fruits: Short Supply
Banana Buds/Bell
Exotic Fruits: Not Available
Asian Plum * Buddha Hands * Dragonfruit * Fuji Fruit * Guava * Longans * Loquats * Lychee * Persimmon * Pomelos- red * Rambutan * Tamarillo (gold)
BUYER'S GUIDE: 18th Sept - 24th Sept
MARKET SUMMARY: Fruit
The Buy list: Delicious apples, Pink Lady Apples, Bananas, Blueberries, Grapefruit Ruby, Honeydews, Kiwifruit, Mandarins, Nashi, Beurre Bosc & Packham Pears, Blood Oranges, Navel Oranges, Red Papaya, Pineapples, Rockmelons, Rhubarb, QLD Strawberries, Watermelons: Seedless and Longs.
The Watch List: Import Grapes (Quality), Figs (PRICE), Lime (Price), Passionfruit (Price).
Market Insights: NZ Hass Avocadoes are on market, it is early but they are on market and for sale. Bananas- prices easing and quality is on the rise with the warmer weather. The quality of all Melons has increased- good eating and prices have eased. NT Mango season is on- good supply, good quality and eating 8/10. Imported (China) Nashi Pears on market for sale. Early season “Peaches & Nectarines” are on market but nothing special- eating quality, 6/10, on hold as a buy.
MARKET SUMMARY: Vegetables
The Buy list: New Season Aussie Asparagus- Thin, Medium & Jumbo, white in 2 weeks. Broad Beans- peaking now and well priced. Hand Picked Green Beans- excellent quality, very tender and priced to suit. Carrots, Celeriac, Chicory, Chinese Cabbage, Eggplant, Fennel Large and Baby, Leeks, Cos, Baby Cos & Iceberg Lettuce, Button Mushrooms, Snow & Snap Peas, Gourmet Salad Lines, Silverbeet, Gold Squash, Rapi, Swedes, Sweet Corn, Sweet Potatoes and Spuds and Onions.
The Watch List: Red Capsicums (Very short supply, PRICE), Brussels Sprouts (Supply is back on with varying quality), Ouch!!! Tomatoes (PRICE & Supply), Jarrahdale Pumpkin (Price).
Market Insights: Red Capsicums and tomatoes are in very short supply, quality is sound but pricing....don’t ask! Jarrahdale Pumpkin is in short supply with Jap on the increase as well. Butternut pumpkin holding. Edible flowers are in season, full range available; however notice needed to fill larger orders. Asian leaf veg in good supply, same with locally grown herbs.
BEST BUYS:
Fruit: Blueberries (NSW) * Mandarin (QLD) * Packham Pears- green (VIC) * Pineapple (QLD) * Seedless Watermelon (NT)
Vegetable: Broad Beans (NSW) * Leek - large (SA) * Portabello Mushroom (SA) * Spring Onions (QLD) * Sweet Potato - large (QLD)
SOMETHING DIFFERENT:
Fruit: Aussie Mangoes (New Season- NT) * Cumquats (QLD) * Pomegranate (Imported)
Vegetable: Cime de Rapa (NSW) * Idaho Potato - foil wrapped (SA) * Lettuce- Purslane (NSW) * Lettuce- Rocquette (NSW) * Purple Garlic (Imported) * Sorrel- red vein (VIC)
Other: Edible Flowers (NSW/VIC)
NOT THIS WEEK:
Not Available: Dragon Fruit * Fuji Fruit * Guava * Beef Oxheart tomatoes * Heirloom tomatoes
LOCAL, LIGHTER PRODUCE
Q: Which other locally sourced produce lines should I be looking out for at the moment?
While it may still be only September, I am already shifting towards alfresco dining (where possible) and adjusting my palate to the lighter, fresher flavours that go hand in hand with the rising mercury and my annual Spring health kick. I know I’m not alone and this week I wanted to share not only our range of fresh produce lines perfect for the next wave of salads and sides, but also show some support for our local growers and profile top quality produce that SG&S is currently sourcing from Greater Sydney/NSW based growers.
SALAD LEAF LINES:
LOCAL PRODUCT: Hydroponic Mix
There are a number of reasons to enjoy hydro lettuce, probably the most obvious being it is free of chemical fertilisers and pesticides. It may not technically be classified as organic but many consider it pretty close. Essentially a mesclun mix made up of ¾ leaf sizes (rocket, baby spinach etc) it’s a great base for any salad.
Source: Sydney/NSW
Supply: good supply, all leaf lines performing well
LOCAL PRODUCT: Oak Lettuce (Red/Green)
For further information on Oak Lettuce characteristics and availability, please refer to our past blog on leaf lines- A Touch of Frost
Source: mostly NSW, however product is also sourced from VIC when required
Supply: currently performing well- supply, quality and price all good
LOCAL PRODUCT: Cos Lettuce (Standard/Baby)
For more information on Cos Lettuce characteristics and availability, please refer to our past bulletin on leaf lines- A Touch of Frost
Source: NSW
Supply: Both Baby Cos and standard Cos are performing well, standard Cos is good quality and super cheap- making it one of our best buys this week. Meanwhile Baby Cos is fantastic eating
LOCAL PRODUCT: Chicory Leaf
Not to be confused with Witlof/Belgian Endive which is also sometimes referred to as Chicory, this leaf line boasts a stronger bitter flavour than witlof, with production peaking in the warmer months.
Source: NSW
Supply: good quality stock, with supply plentiful and therefore pricing well
LOCAL PRODUCT: Endive
For further information on Endive characteristics and availability, please refer to our past bulletin on leaf lines- A Touch of Frost
Source: NSW
Supply: good quality stock, with supply plentiful and therefore pricing well
SALAD EXTRAS:
LOCAL PRODUCT: Spring Onions aka Salad Onions
Growing up my mother referred to Spring Onions as Salad Onions, their softer flavour and characteristics make the perfect for lighter dishes
Source: NSW
Supply: great buying at the moment, quality is fantastic and supply strong
SIDES:
LOCAL PRODUCT: Dutch Carrots & Baby Dutch Carrots
For more information on Dutch Carrots characteristics and availability, please refer to our past bulletin on baby veg – Life’s Little Treasures
Source: NSW
Supply: lovely sweet carrots arriving at the markets- steady supply and good pricing
LOCAL PRODUCT: Silverbeet
The original Australian Spinach, not only is it great buying at the moment but full of nutrition and flavour
Source: NSW
Supply: One of our best buys this week Silverbeet is fantastic quality, great supply and priced accordingly
LOCAL PRODUCT: Cime de Rapa aka Rapini, Broccoli Rapa
A common cooking vegetable in Italy, the slightly bitter florets and leaves of Rapa make it worth adding to the shopping list as it goes beautifully
Source: NSW
Supply: featured on our ‘Something Different’ items this week Rapa is arriving in good quality and is reasonably supplied and priced at the moment
LOCAL PRODUCT: Field Mushrooms
Despite falling outside the usual peak period for mushrooms, most varieties are fantastic eating at the moment. For more information on mushroom characteristics, please refer to our past bulletin – Packed to the Gills
Source: NSW
Supply: Cup mushrooms in particular are fantastic buying and eating right now, however it is always hard to go past a magnificently meaty Portabello!
A: Our local farmers are doing us proud, currently supplying fantastic quality BERRIES- mulberries, blueberries, APPLES, ZUCCHINI FLOWERS- fruit attached, KALE, TUSCAN CABBAGE the list goes on. When it comes to serving up a stunning side you might want to consider our Asian greens which are almost entirely sourced from local farmers – chinese broccoli, bok choi, gai choy, choi sum to name a few. In terms of performance, the market is currently seeing good quality and price for Asian Greens, with the exception of Gai Choy which is in short supply?
BUYER'S GUIDE: Asian/Exotics 11th - 17th Sept
Asian Vegetables: Short Supply
Gai Choy * Tamarind * Water Spinach
Asian Vegetables: Not Available
Asian Celery * Kachay
Exotic Fruits: Short Supply
Banana Buds/Bell
Exotic Fruits: Not Available
Asian Plum * Buddha Hands * Dragonfruit * Fuji Fruit * Guava * Longans * Loquats * Lychee * Persimmon * Pomegranate (poor quality) * Pomelos- red * Rambutan * Tamarillo (gold)
BUYER'S GUIDE: 11th Sept - 17th Sept
MARKET SUMMARY: Fruit
The Buy list: Royal Gala, Golden Delicious & Delicious apples, Bananas, Blueberries, Ruby Grapefruit, Honeydews & Rockmelons AT LAST!!, Kiwifruit, Mandarins, Beurre Bosc Pears, Blood Oranges, Pineapples, Rhubarb and QLD Strawberries
The Watch List: Imported Grapes (Quality), Figs (PRICE) Lime (Price), Seedless Watermelons (Price & Quality), Passionfruit (Price)
Market Insights: Early Season Australian Grapes are available, quality is sound and eating 8/10. NT Mangoes in good supply, quality is good and eating 7/10. Early season “Peaches & Nectarines” are on market, quality has increased 6/10 but still not in the eating zone and up there in price! The main lines to watch this weeks are; Limes (just price), quality of Seedless and regular Watermelons. Pawpaw, Red Papaya & Passionfruit, supply slowing and price on the move up.
MARKET SUMMARY: Vegetables
The Buy list: New Season Aussie Asparagus & Jumbo, Beetroot, Broccoli, Carrots, Celeriac, Chicory, Chinese Cabbage, Fennel, Leeks, Cos & Iceberg Lettuce, Gourmet Salad Lines, Silverbeet, Gold Squash, Rapi, Swedes, Sweet Corn, Sweet Potatoes, Green Zucchini, Butternut Pumpkin, Spuds and Onions
The Watch List: Capsicums: (Price), Brussels Sprouts (Supply & Price), Leb Cucumbers (Price), Parsnip (Price), Green Peas (Quality & Price), All Tomatoes (PRICE), Jarrahdale Pumpkin (Price)
Market Insights: Capsicums- supply problems though quality is sound, this will change by the weekend. Brussels Sprouts- limited supply and price is up. Leb Cucumbers- asking high prices for quality gear. Tomatoes are in short supply and look like staying this way for the next 3 weeks. Getting supply of quality and correct size is the main issue. Jarrahdale Pumpkin is in short supply, plenty of Butternut and Jap to cover. New Season Aussie Asparagus is in full swing, good buying and great quality. Zucchini & Edible flowers are in season, full range available however notice is needed to fill larger orders.
Bye Bye Australian Truffle season!!
BEST BUYS:
Fruit: Beurre Bosc Pears (VIC) * Blood Oranges (QLD) * Honeydew Melon (NT) * Rhubarb (NSW) * Rockmelon (QLD/NT)
Vegetable: Chat Potatoes- sml (SA) * Cos Lettuce- large (NSW) * Mesclun Lettuce (QLD) * Silverbeet (NSW) * Sweetcorn (QLD)
SOMETHING DIFFERENT:
Fruit: Lemon- seedless (QLD) * New Season Mangoes- VIP (NT) * Mulberries (NSW) * Pineapple- rough skin (QLD) * Strawberries - Plate VIP (QLD)
Vegetable: Cime de Rapa (NSW) * Idaho Potato - foil wrapped (SA) * Sorrel- red vein * Vine sweet baby caps (QLD) * Zucchini Flower (NSW)
NOT THIS WEEK:
Poor Quality: Pomegranate
Short Supply & Expensive: Butter Beans- yellow
Not Available: Dragon Fruit * Fuji Fruit * Guava * Beef Oxheart tomatoes * Heirloom tomatoes
PRICKLY CHARACTERS:
Q: Why are some pineapples sold topless?
As far as fresh produce goes, I have always considered pineapples to be relatively straightforward (despite the ongoing debate as to whether they belong on a pizza- or burger for that matter). The pineapple industry in Australia is very QLD centric with top quality fruit being produced from Brisbane to Cooktown, though small amounts produced in Northern NSW and the NT deserve a mention. For many years, Australians buying pineapples lived by the general rule that smooth varieties are larger and juicier, whereas rough leaf fruit are smaller and sweeter. Over the last 15-20 years however this has changed, with cross-breeding of the existing smooth, rough and Hawaiian varieties producing a number of hybrid fruits that offer consumers the best of both worlds. With most pineapple varieties currently performing well at the markets, our bulletin this week is dedicated to the tropics favourite prickly character.
Before we break it down by variety, here are some insights which are true for all pineapples:
Selection: No matter which variety you buy it is important to note that pineapples may get juicier after harvesting but they don’t sweeter so choose plump fruit that has no bruising/blemishes and boasts a fresh, sweet (but not too sweet) pineapple fragrance.
Nutritional Benefits: pineapples are a fantastic source of Vitamin C with 100gm of some of the hybrid fruits delivering the entire recommended daily intake. They are also a great source of dietary fibre and a good source of Manganese
STANDARD PINEAPPLE: aka Smooth Cayenne
Availability: All year round, peaks in summer/warmer temperatures
Appearance: smooth with top
Flesh: pale yellow flesh
Flavour: juicy, slightly acidic, not as sweet as rough skin or the new hybrid varieties
Big deal: historically this has bee the canning pineapple – however still fantastic fresh.
BETHONGA: aka Bethonga Gold Hybrid/Topless Gold
Availability: all year, best Sept-May
Appearance: smooth, topless, slightly smaller than smooth cayenne
Flesh: richgold colour, less fibrous
Flavour: low acidity makes them more aromatic and sweeter in flavour than smooth cayenne
Big deal: less likely to cause the mouth blisters commonly associated with pineapples
BABY PINEAPPLE WITH STEMS:
Availability: Aug - Mar
Appearance: small pineapple with leaves, still attached to the stem
Flavour: N/A
Best use: display purposes
Big deal: These miniature fruits are beautiful and add a quirky twist to a display/centerpiece.
ROUGH SKIN/LEAF: aka Queen
Availability: all year, peaks Dec/Jan
Appearance: rough skin with top on, small fruit
Flesh: gold/yellow flesh that is drier and more fibrous than Smooth Cayenne
Flavour: delicate, mild pineapple flavour that makes it lovely fresh
Big deal: more of a niche product, it keeps well and has a lovely crisp texture
AUS JUBILEE:
Availability: all year, best Nov-Mar
Appearance: smooth yellow skin, small fruit, topless
Flesh: flesh is yellow, firm and crunchy
Flavour: very sweet, strong pineapple aroma with a hint of coconut
Big deal: this variety was born & bred in Australia, therefore it tends to delivers top quality fruit year round- it also has twice the Vit C of the Smooth Cayenne
KING OF FRUITS:
Availability: all year
Appearance: green/yellow smooth skin, topless
Flesh: much darker yellow/gold than smooth cayenne
Flavour: very sweet, low acid
Big deal: hybrid of rough skin and Hawaiian Gold, consistently good performer year round
A: This is a trend with the newer hybrid varieties on the market which are often trademarked by commercial partners. The tops of pineapples are removed and replanted, which considering each plant produces 1 pineapple every 2 years is a crucial part of ensuring the increased productivity and commercial availability of these new varieties. The cynics among us might also conclude that it is an effective strategy for trademark companies to protect their brand, as consumers and/or competitors are unable to use cuttings from purchased fruit to produce their own stock.
BUYER'S GUIDE: Asian/Exotics 4th Sept - 10th Sept
Asian Vegetables: Short Supply
Water Spinach
Asian Vegetables: Not Available
Asian Celery * Gai Choy * Kachay
Exotic Fruits: Short Supply
Banana Buds/Bell * Fuji Fruit * Persimmon
Exotic Fruits: Not Available
Asian Plum * Buddha Hands * Dragonfruit * Guava * Longans * Loquats * Lychee * Pomegranate (poor quality) * Pomelos- red * Rambutan * Tamarillo (gold)