BUYER'S GUIDE: 24th Apr - 30th Apr
Thankfully the wet has not had the expected negative affect on quality and supply this week, so the markets are performing much as they have for the last fortnight. Main items to watch out for are Melons (quality and price on all lines) and Tomatoes (just the quality- not at their best).
Fruit:
Clean slate and plenty to chose from. Stonefruit is O V E R. Imported Mexican Mangoes are on market this week as are the last of the late variety Brooks Mangoes. Blueberries are up in price, with supply shortening. As for the rest clear sailing!
Vegetables:
Just a few items to watch. Asparagus (price), Butter beans (quality and price), Yellow Capsicums & Gold Squash (price), Sweet Corn (price- as we move from local to QLD supply) and Cauliflowers (quality not a problem, just hold in price again this week). As for the rest, it's good to go.
BEST BUYS:
Fruit:
Bethonga Pineapple (QLD) * Grapes - red seedless (VIC)* Mandarin (QLD) * Oranges - juicing No2 (NSW) * Strawberries - medium (VIC)
Vegetables:
Baby Dutch Carrot (NSW) * Broccoli (VIC) * Celery (VIC) * Leek - large (VIC) * Kipfler Potatoes (QLD)
SOMETHING DIFFERENT:
Fruit:
Corella Pears (NSW) * Feijoa (NSW) * Mangosteen (QLD) * Papaya - green/cooking (QLD) * Quince (QLD)
Vegetables:
Baby Globe Artichokes (NSW) * Baby Gold Beetroot (NSW) * Roman Beans- aka Continental (NSW) * Savoy Cabbage (NSW) * Tuscan Cabbage (NSW)
NOT THIS WEEK:
Short Supply:
Bella Rossa Tomatoes * Longans
Not Available:
Broad Beans * Nectarines * Rambutan
BUYER'S GUIDE: 17th Apr- 23rd Apr
Another good week, much the same as the last. Main problem items Rockmelons, Honeydews & Seedless Watermelons.
Fruit:
Apples, Pears, New Season Hass Avocados, Bananas, Feijoas, Figs, Guavas, Grapes, Kiwi, Lemons, Limes, Mandarins, Papaws & Pineapples. On the move up in price but still great quality are Blueberries, Strawberries, Oranges and Passionfruit. Bye Bye to Peaches & Nectarines and Plums in another week.
Vegetables:
Artichokes, Beetroot, Brussels Sprouts, Celery, All Cabbage, Eggplant, Fennel, Leeks, Iceberg & Cos Lettuce, Sweet Corn, Spuds & Zucchini. Tomatoes holding price and quality. Moving up in price - Broccoli, Cauliflowers & Gold Squash.
BEST BUYS:
Fruit:
Delicious Apples - med (VIC) * Fig Tray (NSW) * Grapes - red seedless (VIC)* Kiwifruit (VIC) * Mandarin (QLD)
Vegetables:
Celery (VIC) * Globe Artichoke (NSW) * Iceberg Lettuce (VIC) * Leek - large (VIC) * Mushrooms - cup (NSW)
SOMETHING DIFFERENT:
Chestnuts (VIC)
Fruit:
New Season Avocado (QLD) * New Season Pink Lady apples (NSW) * Mangosteen (QLD) * Papaya - green/cooking (QLD) * New Season Quince (QLD) * Tamarillos- red (NSW)
Vegetables:
Baby Gold Beetroot (NSW) * Horseradish (SA) * Jicama aka Water yam (QLD)
NOT THIS WEEK:
Short Supply:
Broad Beans * Butter Bean - yellow
Not Available:
Nectarine * Peach * Rambutan
BUYER'S GUIDE: 11th Apr - 16th Apr
After better weather over the past few weeks the markets are looking brighter!! Only items still heavily affected are melons (price and quality) and tomatoes (more quality than price). Supply is up on demand, which has levelled the market and eased prices across the board
Fruit:
Farewell to Peaches and Nectarines, followed by Mangoes and Plums, over the next week or so. Best buying is still Apples, Pears and Bananas.
Plenty of variety on offer: Figs, Grapes (Red, Black & White), Lemons & Limes, New season Mandarins, Papaya, Passionfruit, Pineapples, Dragonfruit, Quinces, Strawberries and Tamarillo’s- all good quality with prices to suit.
Vegetables:
The trucks are full!! The cool, drier weather has brought on the staples and lifted quality. Think... Artichokes, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Carrots, Cauliflowers, Celeriac, Cabbage, Asian Bunch Veg, Eggplant, Horseradish, Leeks, Cos & Iceberg lettuce, Mushrooms, Salads Mix’s, Swedes, Turnips, Sweet Corn, Spuds & Onions, all Pumpkins varieties and Zucchini.
BEST BUYS:
Fruit:
Corella Pears (VIC) * Delicious Apples - med (VIC) * Fig Tray (NSW) * Pineapple (QLD) * Strawberries - extra large (VIC)
Vegetables:
Bean - green (QLD) * Butternut Pumpkin (NSW) * Celeriac (QLD) * Brussel Sprouts (VIC) * Leek - large (VIC) * Mushroom - cup (NSW)
SOMETHING DIFFERENT:
Chestnuts (VIC)
Fruit:
Mandarins (QLD) * New Season Quince (QLD) * Tamarillo -red (NSW) *
Vegetables:
Fennel Bulb - large (VIC) * Galangal (QLD) * Globe Artichoke (NSW) * Horseradish (SA) * Jicama aka Water Yam (QLD) * Wild Pine Mushrooms (NSW)
NOT THIS WEEK:
Short Supply:
Honeydew Melon * Bella Rossa Tomatoes
End of Season:
Nectarines * Peaches
Not Available:
Green Peas (fresh)
FEEL GOOD FACTOR
Q: How do colds and flus impact our ability to enjoy food?
This week’s bulletin was inspired by this week’s SMH article on natural remedies and the validity of using food as medicine. There is no doubt that over the last decade there has been a significant cultural shift towards wellness, so much so that Australians last year spent $1.4 billion dollars on vitamins and dietary supplements. For those of use not keen on lining up our pills every morning or drinking 15 cups of herbal tea a day, this week’s bulletin is dedicated to fresh produce that not only serves up a powerful flavour hit in the kitchen but also offers impressive health benefits.
HABANERO CHILLI:
Flavour hit: very spicy but with a distinctive, almost fruity aroma
Appearance: current stock is hydroponic- look like very small, red lanterns
Availability: all year, best Nov - Mar
Selection: look for taut, even skin with a bright colour
Storage: wrap in paper towel and store in fridge
Preparation: chop into an angry sauce, be careful to protect eyes as it is very strong
Health bonus: helps prevent artherosclerosis (heart disease). For those with a cold, the spicy heat will clear the nose, while the beta carotene (Vit A) in red chillies keeps the skin/mucus membranes healthy. The capsaicin in chillies is also proven to reduce inflammation
GINGER:
Flavour hit: hot, spicy aromatic and pungent with a smooth texture
Appearance: firm, striated root with light-brown skin and light-yellow flesh
Availability: all year, best Mar - Nov
Selection: firm, smooth, plump rhizomes
Storage: unpeeled in a zip lock back in the refrigerator
Preparation: peel then chop, grate or slice into soups, stir fries, curries etc
Health bonus: nature’s wonder drug - anti-nausea (carminative), anti-inflammatory (arthritis), anti-bacterial and anti-microbial (colds/antiseptic), proven anti-cancer properties, stimulates circulation and combats chills/fevers and heart disease
GALANGAL: aka Siamese Ginger
Flavour hit: pungent mustard with slight fruit undertones- popular in South East Asian cuisine
Appearance: similar to ginger but with pink-tan skin and white flesh
Availability: all year
Selection: firm, smooth, plump rhizomes
Storage: do not refrigerate as it will blacken the galangal. wrap in absorbent paper and place in a plastic bag in cool, dry area
Preparation: peel then chop, grate or slice into soups, stir fries, curries etc
Health bonus: similarly to ginger- anti-nausea (carminative), anti-inflammatory (arthritis), anti-bacterial and anti-microbial (colds/antiseptic), stimulates circulation and combats chills/fevers
GARLIC:
Flavour hit: rich & pungent, onion tones though roasting brings our nutty flavours
Appearance: white, purple or pink bulbs with a thin neck, covered in a papery skin
Availability: all year - Australian seasons are Oct - May
Selection: choose dry, firm, plump bulbs
Storage: store in cool, dark well ventilated place
Preparation: as per wasabi/horseradish it is the chemical reaction caused by preparing garlic that gives it its flavour. Crushing results in an intense aroma and taste while slicing will cause a milder reaction and therefore flavour
Health bonus: natural antibiotic, also assists in management of blood pressure & cholesterol
TURMERIC:
Flavour hit: strong peppery taste with hints of ginger & orange - used widely in Indian cuisine
Appearance: appears similar to ginger but distinct deep yellow-orange flesh
Availability: All Year
Selection: firm, smooth, plump rhizome
Storage: store unwashed in the fridge, wrapped in a paper towel in a plastic bag
Preparation: unless you want orange hands handle with care, can be ground, chopped, minced, grated or sliced into dishes
Health bonus: reduces risk of Alzheimers by 50%, anti-inflammatory, gargled with water its anti-bacterial properties ease a sore throat
HORSERADISH:
Flavour hit: spicy mustard hit- bright, pungent and aromatic - used mainly as a condiment
Appearance: white, tapered root covered in light-brown, hairy skin
Availability: Mar - Nov
Selection: avoid shrivelled or dry roots with soft, green spots
Storage: loosely wrapped in plastic in the refrigerator
Preperation: fresh roots aren’t pungent but (similar to wasabi) the process of cutting, grating or grinding causes a chemical reaction and releases oils responsible for the pungent aroma and taste. Once prepared, use quickly or it will lose potency (and if left exposed a bitter taste)
Health bonus: anti-oxidant and detoxification functions-great for colds as it has high vitamin C content is a strong antibiotic, bronchodilator (asthma, bronchitis) and stimulates the immune system
KAFFIR LIME LEAVES:
Flavour hit: intense, acidic, citrus flavour used in Thai, Indonesian and Cambodian cuisine
Appearance: dark green glossy leaves in figure of eight shape
Availability: All Year
Selection: look for a deep, glossy colour on the leaf
Storage: store in zip lock bag in refrigerator
Preparation: remove centre vein, slice finely or tear into stir fries, soups, curries or salads
Health bonus: small amounts of beta-carotene
LEMONGRASS: aka Takrai
Flavour hit: pungent, distinctive lemon hit features heavily in South East Asian cuisine
Appearance: long grass-like stalks
Availability: All Year - peaks in warm weather
Selection: look for plump, firm stalks
Storage: keep in a sealed plastic bag in the refrigerator
Preparation: peel tough outer layers of stem and trim base. If using as an infusion, bruise the stem to release oils before adding. Or finely chop into stir-fries, curries etc
Health bonus: the citral in lemon grass has anti-bacterial properties that help to ward of colds & coughs, it is also moderately high in folate and helps detoxify the body
SAW TOOTH CORIANDER: aka Saw leaf herb, Ngo Gai, Thai Coriander, long leaf coriander
Flavour hit: intense coriander - peppery & pungent, used Vietnamese, Thai & Punjabi cuisine
Appearance: thick, long, serrated green leaves
Availability: Apr - Sept
Selection: choose vibrant green leaves that look fresh and not wilted
Storage: good shelf life, store as per other cut herbs (either refrigerate dry in sealed bag or cut stems and sit in water then refrigerate)
Preparation: tougher than usual coriander it is torn or chopped into soups, stir-fries, curries and salads. Good for drying as it holds flavour & colour better than regular coriander.
Health bonus: often prepared in tea to stimulate appetite & soothes stomach ache
VIETNAMESE MINT: aka laksa leaf
Flavour hit: spicy, citrusy, pepper flavour - common in South East Asian, Vietnamese cuisine
Appearance: long, narrow leaves with red-brown tint at base & green tip
Availability: All Year
Selection: choose vibrant green leaves that look fresh and not wilted
Storage: wrap loosely in paper towel & store in zip-lock back in fridge
Preparation: rinse gently and used raw in salads, summer rolls, shredded into laksa or stews
Health bonus: traditionally used to treat stomach complaints and reduce swelling.
WASABI STEMS:
Flavour hit: intensely hot, peppery, sweet mustard - similar to horseradish
Appearance: short, thick, green knobbly stems
Availability: All Year
Selection: choose fresh, firm stems
Storage: wrap unused stems in a paper towel and store in a sealed bag in the refrigerator
Preparation: similarly to horseradish it is the chemical reaction caused by grating that releases the signature flavour of wasabi. grate to a fine paste allow to rest for 2-3 minutes to achieve full flavour then serve
Health bonus: many believe wasabi is good for clearing the sinuses however the opposite it true. It is the anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties of wasabi that are notable
A: Approximately 80-90% of what we taste is thanks to our sense of smell. The taste receptors on the tongue only distinguish between sweet, salty, sour and bitter, it is actually the scent or aroma of the food that allows us to enjoy complex, subtle flavour combinations. Therefore when you suffer from a cold/flu or any condition that interferes with your ability to detect these scent particles, it stops the brain being able to communicate the usual taste information stored for that food.
BUYER'S GUIDE: 3rd Apr-10th Apr
The Market is looking ok for Easter Week with just a few items still in recovery mode from the wet weather- these include Melons (quality and price) and Avocados, Cos & Iceberg Lettuce (price).
Fruit:
NB. Nectarines and Peaches are all but done, quality is below par and eating quality and shelf life is limited.
As for the rest of the tribe all good and in most cases pricing is lower. Strawberry quality is sound, just up in price which is the usual for this time of the year.
Apples, Pears Bananas, Figs, Grapes, Pineapples, Pomegranates & Quinces are all good buying.
New Season Mandarins are in, but we recommend holding off for another week as they are eating on the dryer side.
Vegetables:
Looking good for the week as well. Big list to chose from, Asparagus, Beans Green, Beetroot, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cauliflowers, Carrots, Celery, Eggplant, Mushrooms, Potatoes, Asian Veg etc etc.......
Tomatoes holding across the range but showing signs of the weather in terms of quality.
BEST BUYS:
Fruit:
Fig Tray (NSW) * Grapes - green seedless (VIC) * Packham Pears - green (VIC) * Pawpaw - yellow (QLD) * Pineapple (QLD)
Vegetables:
Asparagus - medium (Imported) * Bean - green (QLD) * Brussel Sprouts (VIC) * Eggplant (NSW) * Sweet Potato - large (QLD)
SOMETHING DIFFERENT:
New Season Chestnuts (VIC)
Fruit:
Blood Oranges (Imported) * Papaya - green/cooking (QLD) * New Season Quince (QLD)
Vegetables:
Baby Asparagus (Imported) * Baby Endive Lettuce (QLD) * Habanero Chillies (NSW) * Horseradish (SA) * Jicama aka Water Yam (QLD) * Wild Pine Mushrooms (NSW)
NOT THIS WEEK:
Short Supply :
Bella Rossa Tomatoes
End of Season:
Nectarines * Peaches
Not Available:
Baby Gold Beetroot * Green Peas (fresh)
BUYER'S GUIDE: 27th March - 2nd April
The market is on hold mode this week except for a couple of items.
Fruit:
New Season Apples & Pears are still the best buys- good eating and well priced. Following are Bananas, Grapes, Rockmelons, Kiwifruit, Fuju Persimmons, Pineapples, Plums, Quinces, Seedless Watermelons & Strawberries. One to watch is Honeydew- quality not at its best and up in price.
Vegetables:
Quality has improved somewhat but still some signs of the effect from the wet. The pick for this week: Asparagus, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, carrots, Cauliflowers, Chinese Cabbage, Corn, Eggplant, Fennel, Iceberg Lettuce, Mushrooms, Spuds, Sweet Potatoes & Pumpkins.
One’s to watch out for (price and quality) are Snow Peas, Red Capsicums, Cos lettuce & Gold Squash.
BEST BUYS:
Fruit:
Bethonga Pineapples (QLD)
New Season Beurre Bosc Pears (NSW)
Fig Tray (NSW)
Rockmelon (NSW)
Strawberries - medium (VIC)
Vegetables:
Asparagus - medium (Imported)
Broccoli (VIC)
Peak Season Habanero Chilli (NSW)
Mushroom - No2 (NSW)
Sweet Potato - large (QLD)
SOMETHING DIFFERENT:
New Season Chestnuts (VIC)
Fruit:
Coconut -drinking (Imported)
Golden Delicious Apples (VIC)
New Season Quince (QLD)
Toffee Apple - red (NSW)
Vegetables:
Horseradish (SA)
Jicama - aka water yam (QLD)
Slippery Jacks (NSW)
Snake Beans (NSW)
Winter Melon (QLD)
NOT THIS WEEK:
Expensive:
Yellow Squash
End of Season:
Lychee
Not Available:
Green Mango
Purple Asparagus
Tuscan Cabbage
BUYER'S GUIDE: 20th March - 26th March
Fruit:
New Season Apples and Pears are in full swing, excellent quality, great eating and priced extremely well. Also holding well are Bananas, Dragonfruit, Figs, Grapes, Lemons & Limes, Passionfruit, Persimmons & Fuyu, Pineapples, Pomegranates, Quinces and Rockmelons.
Ones to keep an eye on are, Berries, Watermelons, Honeydews, Papaw and Stonefruit as the season is coming to a end, some late season Plums varieties still good buying and eating well.
Vegetables:
Clear sailing on Asparagus, Carrots, Capsicums Green, Leeks, Mushrooms, Sweet Corn, All Spuds (Sweet Potatoes included) Zucchini, Onions and Pumpkins.
The rest of the lines holding quality, up slightly in price but still in the buying range. Iceberg & Cos lettuce, Cauliflowers and Tomatoes one to watch re quality and price and as are some Asian leaf lines suffering from the heavy rains.
The overall view of the markets is still positive as supply and demand is balanced- looking ahead Tomatoes and the leaf lines are the one to watch.
BEST BUYS:
Fruit:
New Season Apples- Red Delicious (VIC)
Beurre Bosc Pears (VIC)
Grapes - red seedless (VIC)
Rambutan (QLD)
Strawberries - medium (VIC)
Vegetables:
Brussel Sprouts (SA)
Fennel Bulb - large (VIC)
Spanish Onion - red (SA)
Sweet Potato - large (QLD)
Zucchini - green (ACT)
SOMETHING DIFFERENT:
New Season Chestnuts (VIC)
Fruit:
Blood Oranges (Imp- USA)
Guava - cooking (QLD)
Pomello (QLD)
New Season Quince (QLD)
Vegetables:
Horseradish (SA)
Kohlrabi bunch (NSW)
Lotus Root (QLD)
Pontiac Potato (SA)
Wild Pine Mushrooms (NSW)
NOT THIS WEEK:
Poor Quality:
Blueberries
End of Season:
Lychees
Not Available:
Green Mangoes
Purple Asparagus
Tuscan Cabbage
BUYER'S GUIDE: 13th March - 19th March
Wet weather is still causing major issues with quality and supply. Again it is mainly with the vegetables and the ground grown crops.
Fruit:
Berries and Melons are the most affected- supply and quality. Apples and Pears- no problems, Citrus- just holding up, Grapes- yes and no depending on the growing area. Exotics- some signs of weather, but still ok.
Stonefruit on their last legs, Apricots all O V E R. Late season mangoes now in full swing and should be completed by months end.
Vegetables:
Same as last week. Asian veg’s, Herbs & Mixed Salad faring badly, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Beans & Green Peas also feeling the pinch.
Tomatoes have come back in price due to low demand and poor quality.
All issues are due to the wet weather and with current forecasts we could see the market staying on this course well into next month.
BEST BUYS:
Fruit:
Cavendish Bananas (QLD)
Fig Tray (NSW)
Oranges- juicing No2 (NSW)
Packham Pears (VIC)
Passionfruit (QLD)
Vegetables:
Asparagus- medium (Imported)
Carrots- med/lge (QLD)
Iceberg Lettuce (VIC)
Sweet Potato - large (QLD)
Truss tomatoes (NSW)
SOMETHING DIFFERENT:
Fruit:
Banana Leaves (QLD)
Blood Orange (Imp- USA)
Dragonfruit (QLD)
Fuji Apples (VIC)
Kiwifruit - gold (QLD)
Longan (QLD)
New Season Quince (QLD)
Vegetables:
New Season Chestnuts (VIC)
Heirloom Tomatoes (NSW)
Wild Pine Mushrooms (NSW)
NOT THIS WEEK:
Short Supply:
Borlotti Beans
Edible Flowers
Not Available:
Apricot - End of Season
Green Mangoes
Purple Asparagus
SPECIAL MARKET UPDATE
With flood warnings across major growing regions in NSW and storms predicted to hit QLD over the next few days, the markets are beginning to see quality issues. Demand is currently steady, however as supply tightens we can expect prices to increase.
Beans- Borlotti in particular are currently very thin on the ground, QLD storms could see shortages in other varieties
Herbs- bunch lines heavily affected by the rain, very short shelf life (buy as needed)- alternatively consider micro-herbs. Grown in greenhouses these are good quality, have a longer shelf life and are in good supply (if not quite as rich in colour due to lower light)
Melon Lines- short supply, pricy
Berries – in particular strawberries are poor quality with short shelf life- figs are fabulous eating at the moment and could be a good substitute
Tomatoes – good quality produce from NSW and VIC is scarce, prices will reflect short supply
Zucchini Flowers- Very limited, not a recommended buy
Potential issues with: Cauliflower, Broccoli, Zucchini
We can expect more of the same supply/price issues over the coming month and will do our best to notify you in advance of shortages and best substitutes.
BUYER'S GUIDE: 6th Mar - 12th Mar
As your eyes at the markets, here’s this week’s seasonal update from our buyers:
The wet weather has finally hit home. While demand is the same, quality is the big issue. In particular, poor quality and supply of local ground grown crops has pushed market prices higher. As in the past few weeks, it is 90% against the vegetables.
Fruit:
All good across the range. New Season Avocados are in full swing as is Kiwifruit and a good supply of tropicals from QLD.
Stonefruits are just about on their last legs, with most now well past their prime. New season apples and grapes in good supply.
Only berries and the melon range showing signs of the weather- quality, supply and price are the things to watch here.
Vegetables:
A much different story here. Some of the main lines are still ok (just up slightly in price) but the local NSW crops, Tomatoes, Asian Vegs, Herbs, Baby Veg etc have been hit hard in both quality and price.
There are only a few items on the short list (as we bring supply in from further afield) but we will see no real change until we get a clear run of dry weather. Still supplies are holding but pending the weather, quality will be the main issue.
BEST BUYS:
Fruit:
Delicious Apples - medium (NSW)
Red Grapes - seedless (VIC)
Mango - Kett's (QLD)
Passionfruit (QLD)
Plum (NSW)
Vegetables:
Broccoli (VIC)
Butternut Pumpkin (NSW)
Chinese Wombok (QLD)
Desiree Potato- large (SA)
Sweetcorn (NSW)
SOMETHING DIFFERENT:
Fruit:
Drinking coconut (Imported)
Fuji Fruit (QLD)
Kiwiberries (NZ)
Pomello (Imported)
New Season Quince (QLD)
Vegetables:
New Season Chestnuts (VIC)
Heirloom Tomatoes (NSW)
Tuscan Cabbage (NSW)
Wild Pine Mushrooms (NSW)
Winter Melon (QLD)
NOT THIS WEEK:
Short Supply:
Borlotti Beans
Not Available:
Baby Gold Beetroot
Baby White Carrot
Bella Rossa Tomatoes
Blood Orange