What is seasonal food? 

Some food is harvested in specific regions at specific times of the year. Seasons help us vary our diet and seasonal produce generally has more flavour.
We may sometimes get the impression that food is harvested all year round as, with tomatoes for example, we can get them from different regions of the world throughout the year.

Which food is associated with winter?

Winter in western Europe is not the season for harvesting fruit. However, citrus fruit, such as mandarines, can be picked during the winter in southern Europe, and apples and kiwi fruit picked in autumn can be stored in cellars throughout the winter.

Some vegetables, such as leeks, chicory and lamb’s lettuce, are harvested in winter. Pineapples grow on a tropical plant in summer in the Southern hemisphere. So, in the Northern hemisphere, it is best to eat them in winter.

Which food is associated with spring?

In spring, we find early vegetables such as asparagus and radishes. As for fruit, spring is strawberry time.

Which food is associated with summer?

Many varieties of fruit and vegetables are harvested in summer, for example raspberries, cherries, peaches, apricots, courgettes and aubergines. Tomatoes have more flavour in summer, which is also the season for green beans.

In hot weather we enjoy cold dishes, such as raw vegetables and salads, as well as food which is refreshing and thirst-quenching, such as watermelons and melons.

Which food is associated with autumn?

Beetroot, Jerusalem artichokes and pumpkins are autumn vegetables. In most countries in the Northern hemisphere, grapes are picked from the end of August to the beginning of October. So grapes, as well as pears and plums, can be found on market stalls in autumn.