What are in season food?

Seasonality of food refers to the times of year when a given type food is at its peak, either in terms of harvest or its flavour. This is usually the time when the item is the cheapest and the freshest on the market. The food's peak time in terms of harvest usually coincides with when its flavour is at its best. There are some exceptions; an example being sweet potatoes which are best eaten quite a while after harvest.

Why eat in season food?

There are a number of good reasons to eat more local, seasonal food:

-to reduce the energy (and associated CO2 emissions) needed to grow and transport the food we eat

-to avoid paying a premium for food that is scarcer or has travelled a long way

-to support the local economy

-to reconnect with nature's cycles and the passing of time

but, most importantly, because

-seasonal food is fresher and so tends to be tastier and more nutritious

Which food to eat in a specific month, check below:  info below applies to UK

JANUARY Carrots and Kale are this month´s best.

-VEGETABLES: brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, chicory, leeks, onions, parsnips, potatoes, radishes, rhubarb, shallots, spinach, turnips

-FRUIT: apples, clementines, kiwi fruit, lemons, oranges, pears, pineapple, pomegranate, tangerines

FEBRUARY Leeks and cabbage are this month´s best.

-VEGETABLES: brussels sprouts, carrots, cauliflower, celeriac, chicory, kale, leeks, onions, parsnips, potatoes, turnips

-FRUIT: bananas, blood oranges, kiwi fruit, lemons, oranges, pineapple, pomegranate

MARCH Cabbage is the this month's best.

-VEGETABLES: brussels sprouts, carrots, cauliflower, chicory, jersey royal new potatoes, kale, leeks, onions, parsnips, potatoes, spring onions, swede, wild nettles

-FRUIT: bananas, blood oranges, kiwi fruit, lemons, oranges, passion fruit, pineapple, pomegranate

APRIL Cauliflower is this month´s best.

-VEGETABLES: broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, chicory, cucumber, jersey royal new potatoes, kale, leeks, salads, onions, potatoes, radishes, spinach, spring onions,  watercress

-FRUIT: bananas, kiwi fruit, lemons, oranges, passion fruit

MAY Rhubarb and Asparagus are this month´s best.

-VEGETABLES: asparagus, broad beans, broccoli, carrots, cauliflower, cucumber, jersey royal new potatoes, kohlrabi, salads, new potatoes, onions, peas, potatoes, radishes, rhubarb, spinach, spring onions, watercress

-FRUIT: apricots, bananas, cherries, kiwi fruit, lemons, oranges, passion fruit

JUNE Peas, broad beans and strawberries are this month´s best.

-VEGETABLES: artichoke, asparagus, aubergine, broad beans, broccoli, carrots, courgettes, cucumber, jersey royal new potatoes, salads, mange-tout, new potatoes, onions, peas, potatoes, rhubarb, spinach, spring onions, watercress

-FRUIT: apricots, blueberries, cherries, elderflowers, gooseberries, kiwi fruit, lemons, oranges, passion fruit, raspberries, strawberries, tomatoes

JULY Cucumbers, lettuce and cherries are this month´s BEST

-VEGETABLES: artichoke, asparagus, aubergine, broad beans, broccoli, carrots, courgettes, cucumber, french beans, garlic, salads, mange-tout, new potatoes, onions, peas, potatoes, rhubarb, spinach, spring onions, turnips, watercress, wild mushrooms

-FRUIT: apricots, blueberries, cherries, chillies, gooseberries, kiwi fruit, lemons ,  melons, oranges, peaches, raspberries, redcurrants, strawberries, tomatoes

AUGUST Lettuce, raspberries and plums are this month´s BEST.

-VEGETABLES: artichoke, aubergine, broad beans, broccoli, carrots, celery, courgettes, cucumber, fennel, french beans, garlic, leeks, salads, mange-tout, onions, pak choi, peas, peppers, potatoes, radishes, spinach, spring onions, turnips, watercress

-FRUIT: apricots, blackberries, blueberries, cherries, figs, gooseberries, kiwi fruit, lemons, melons, nectarines, oranges, peaches, raspberries, redcurrants, strawberries, tomatoes

SEPTEMBER Courgettes and blackberries are this month´s best.

-VEGETABLES: artichokes, aubergine, beetroot, broad beans, broccoli, carrots, celery, courgettes, cucumber, fennel, french beans, garlic, leeks, lettuces & salads, mange-tout, marrow, onions, pak choi, peas, peppers, potatoes, radishes, spinach, spring onions, sweetcorn, turnips, watercress, wild nettles

-FRUIT: apples, apricots, blackberries, blueberries, damsons, figs, grapes, lemons, melons, nectarines, oranges, peaches, pears, plums, redcurrants, raspberries, strawberries, tomatoes

OCTOBER Sweetcorn and apples are this month´s best

-VEGETABLES: artichoke, aubergine, beetroot, broccoli, brussels sprouts, butternut squash, carrots, celery, courgettes, cucumber, fennel, french beans, garlic, horseradish

-FRUIT: apples, blackberries, figs, grapes, lemons, nectarines, oranges, passion fruit, peaches, pears, tomatoes

NOVEMBER Potatoes and red cabbages are this month´s best

-VEGETABLES: artichoke, beetroot, broccoli, brussels sprouts, butternut squash, carrots, cauliflower, celery, chicory, garlic, horseradish, kale, leeks, onions, parsnips, potatoes, pumpkin, radishes, shallots, spinach, spring onions, swede, sweetcorn, turnips, watercress

-FRUIT: apples, cranberries, lemons, oranges, passion fruit, pears, quince

DECEMBER Brussel sprouts and white cabbage are this month´s best.

-VEGETABLES: beetroot, brussels sprouts, carrots, cauliflower, celery, chicory, horseradish, kale, leeks, onions, parsnips, potatoes, pumpkin, radishes, shallots, spinach, swede, turnips, watercress

-FRUIT: apples, clementines, cranberries, lemons, oranges, passion fruit, pears, pineapple, pomegranate, satsumas, tangerines