By having a greater understanding of what produce is in season, it allows you to you enjoy more delicious, flavourful food. It also means that is it better for the environment and cheaper to buy. That’s a win-win-win for everyone!
By eating seasonally, you'll have a deeper appreciation for the uniqueness of each season, and for the range of tastes, colours and textures. Here’s why you should be eating seasonally:
Taste
It shouldn’t be a surprise that seasonal produce is at the peak of its freshness. This means not only will it taste better; it’s sweeter and will be perfectly ripe. There is nothing better than having a delicious sweet orange in winter or that crispy sweet pineapple in summer. When fruits and vegetables are harvested in season it means that they have been naturally ripened and will have much more flavour and taste so much better. Also, seasonal produce doesn’t lose its flavour or freshness by sitting in a shipping container like out of season produce.
Higher nutritional value
Produce that is in season and available to be sourced locally offers a higher nutritional value than out of season produce. It means it has spent less time spent being transported around and will have retained more nutrients and vitamins since being harvested. Some important anti-oxidants such as Vitamin C, folate and carotenes will rapidly decline when produce is stored for periods of time due to transportation or to be used at a later date.
Supports your body’s nutritional needs Eating seasonal foods will support your body’s natural healing and cleaning abilities. In winter, citrus fruit are at their peak and are high in Vitamin C. This is very important for fighting infections such as colds and flu’s. From grapefruits and oranges to lemons and limes, it is important to take advantage of these delicious fruits and their nutritional benefits. Winter vegetables also offer comfort and are perfect for hot meals, healthy stews, soups, casseroles and other warming meals. Have you tried our delicious Vegetable and Lentil Soup or Pumpkin Soup? Better Value
It is simple supply and demand. When you buy in-season produce, you are buying food at the peak of its supply. Because local farmers often harvest seasonal produce as well, food distribution costs go down, along with the price you pay at the store. Out of season is normally sourced from out of area locations that have a different climate and it can also be stored for long periods of time to offer people a variety of produce all year round, these factors will push the price up.
More environmentally friendly
Purchasing local foods and eating seasonally helps to protect our planet. After all, seasonal produce can grow without too much added human assistance like pesticides and genetically modification. We know how these toxic compounds can contaminate the water and soil and also our health. Eating seasonally reduces the demand for out of season produce, which further supports more local produce and local farming in your area. This means less transportation or food mileage, less refrigeration, less hot houses, and less irradiation of produce. Buying local, organic, seasonally grown produce protects the environment in which we live in.
Seasonal produce you should be consuming:
Winter Fruits
Apple, kiwis, avocado, pear, banana, grapefruit, kiwifruit, pomegranate, lemon, mandarin, orange, persimmon, lime, pineapple, quince, tangelo, strawberry, mango, guava and passionfruit
Three Beans dish to try: Green Machine Smoothie or Coconut & Berry Smoothie
Winter Vegetables
Asian greens, beetroot, peas, broccoli, broccolini, cabbage, carrot, potato, cauliflower, celeriac, eggplant, kale, mushroom, celery, brussels sprouts, parsnip, persimmon, lettuce, rhubarb, truffles, turnip, zucchini, squash, pumpkin, silver beet and fennel
Three Beans dish to try: Superfood Salad or Three Beans Soups