Summer Seasonal Guide
Some of our Summer Foods
Pineapples
One of the most prized and popular fruits, pineapple or “ananas” has an interesting history to narrate. Originally indigenous to local Paraguayans in South America, it spread from its native land by the local Indians up through the South and Central Americas and to the West Indies. Later, it was brought to Spain when Columbus discovered Americas’ in 1493. In the 15th and 16th centuries, it spread to rest of the world by the European sailors (just like tomatoes) who carried it along with them to protect themselves from scurvy, a disease caused by the deficiency of vitamin-C.
Blackberries
Sweet, succulent blackberries are summer delicacies in the northern temperate regions. As in raspberries, they too grow on shrubs known as “brambles.” The plant is native to sub-arctic Europe and nowadays grown at commercial scale in North America, particularly in the USA, to as far as Siberia.
Tomatoes
Tomato is a juicy, nutritious fruit commonly eaten as a vegetable, is another wonderful gift of the Mayans to the world. This humble vegetable of Central America has seized the attention of millions of health seekers for its incredible nutritional properties. Interestingly, it has more health-benefiting compounds than that of some popular fruits like apple!
Lychees
Delicious and juicy lychee or “Litchi” heralds the arrival of summer. Besides being sweet and nutritious, these berries bring cooling effect on the human body to beat the scorching summer heat.
Blueberries
Sweet, juicy blueberries are rich in natural pro-anthocyanin pigment antioxidants. These tiny, round blue-purple berries have long been attributed to the longevity and wellness of indigenous people living around subarctic regions in the Northern hemisphere.
Rambutans
Rambutans are small, red colored fruits with spiky hair on the skin. They have sweet, juicy flesh that is slightly acidic and small brown colored seeds whose oil is used in a number of industries. Rambutans are available in two colours, red and yellow.
Sweetcorn
Sweet corn is a particular maize species which differ genetically from the field maize. Its kernels are tender, delicious and eaten as a vegetable in many cuisines worldwide. In contrast to the traditional field corn, sweet corn crops are harvested while their corn-ears have just attained the milky stage. The cob either used immediately or frozen for later use since its sugar content turns quickly into starch.
Strawberries
Delicious, rich-red, sweet, yet gently tangy strawberries are among the most popular berries. These berries are native to Europe, however, nowadays cultivated in many temperate regions all over the world as important commercial crops. Botanically, the plant is a low-growing runner (creeper) belonging to the family of Rosaceae, in the genus: Fragaria.
Onion
Can you imagine a recipe without an onion in it? This beautiful bulb-vegetable, one of the oldest edible food ingredient known to the humankind, is found in a bewildering array of recipes and preparations, be it your favorite salad, or a mouth-watering gravy or curries.
Melons
Melons are low in calories, with just 64 calories in a 1-cup serving of honeydew balls and fewer calories in cantaloupe, casaba or watermelon balls. At the same time, melons are high in essential vitamins and minerals. They contain almost no fat or saturated fat, making them an excellent choice for snacks or a side dish.
Raspberries
Wonderfully delicious, bright red raspberry is among the most popular berries to relish! They are rich sources of health-promoting plant-derived chemicals, minerals, and vitamins that are essential for optimum health.
Grapes
One of the most popular among the regularly featuring table fruits, grapes are widely considered as the “queen of fruits” since earlier times. These tiny berries of the Europe and Mediterranean origin are the storehouse of numerous health-promoting phytonutrients such as polyphenolic antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. No wonder why so many of us often include them in our diet; be it as a fresh table fruits, dry fruits (raisins), juice, or simply in salads!
Whats Good in Summer
DECEMBER
Fruit
JANUARY
Fruit
- Apricots
- Avocados
- Bananas
- Berries:
Blackberries
Blueberries
Raspberries
Strawberries - Cherries
- Grapes
- Limes
- Lychees
- Mangoes
- Melons
- Nectarines
- Oranges:
Valencia - Passionfruit
- Peaches
- Pears:
Williams - Pineapples
- Plums
- Rambutans
FEBRUARY
Fruit
- Avocados
- Berries:
Blueberries
Raspberries
Strawberries - Figs
- Grapes
- Limes
- Lychees
- Mangosteens
- Melons
- Nectarines
- Oranges:
Valencia - Passionfruit
- Peaches
- Pears:
Howell
Williams - Pineapples
- Plums
- Prickly Pears
- Rambutans