Fruits Apple to Currant
Apple
Malus communis
Description
A plump fruit with a thin skin which can vary in colour from yellow to green or red, with a crisp, firm, juicy flesh. There are hundreds of different varieties.
Native to northern Europe, it has been known since the Stone Age when the wild crab apple was the only fruit available in winter.
Use
Wash and dry before serving. Can be eaten whole or added fresh to fruit salads, with cheese or fruit platters. Can be peeled, cored and cut into various shapes, should be brushed with lemon juice to prevent discoloration. Cook by stewing, sautéing or microwaving. Or left whole cored and baked with a sweet stuffing. It can be served with many dishes or added to pies, pastries, tarts, cakes or puddings. Unsweetened apple sauce is a traditional accompaniment to roast pork.
Apricot
Prunus armeniaca
Description
A stoned fruit with a soft yellow-orange skin and juicy aromatic fruit.
Native to China and known since 200BC, the Romans introduced it to Europe. It became popular in Britain in the 18th century in the gardens of noblemen.
Use
Wash and dry before serving. Can be eaten fresh. Or with the stone removed added fresh to fruit salads, etc Can be halved or sliced and cooked by stewing, poaching, baking or stuffing. Use in pies, pastries, tarts, purees, ice creams and sorbets. Can be used to make jams and preserves.
Avocado
Persea americana
Description
The shape of a large pear with a thick skin that ranges in colour from green to black, has a large stone and delicate yellow flesh with a green outer tinge.
Native of Mexico and known since 700BC, bought to Europe by the Spanish conquistadors in the 16th century.
Use
Cut the fruit in half lengthways and twist gently to separate, use a knife to remove stone. Can be served as is dressed or topped with seafood. Can be peeled and sliced or cubed and added to salads and sandwiches, pureed and used as a dip or added to soups.
Varieties
Fuerte avocado, Hass avocado, Sharwill avocado
Banana
Musa paradisiaca
Description
Grows on a tree in bunches called hands, each bunch containing varying numbers of the yellow fruit which a tough skin with succulent creamy flesh.
Native to tropical regions throughout the world.
Use
Peel and eat fresh. Slice for fruit salads, add to cakes and pudding. Brush with lemon juice to prevent discoloration. Can be sautéed, baked, barbecued or flambéed.
Varieties
Cavendish banana, Lady fingers banana, Sugar banana
Bilberry
Vaccinium myrtillus
Description
Also known as: Black Whortleberry, Burren Myrtle, Dyeberry, Huckleberry, Hurtleberry, Whinberry, Whortleberry, Wineberry.
Use
Wash gently, drain and dry.
Can be added fresh to fruit salads or cooked in pies and tarts.
Can be pureed and added to ice cream and sorbets.
Can be used to make jams and preserves.
Blackberry
Rubus fruticosus
Also known as: Bramble
Description
A cluster of tiny, very dark purple berries around a white core. A member of the rose family.
Native to Britain, often found growing wild in hedgerows,
Use
Remove the stem and hull, wash gently and drain on paper towel. Use fresh in fruit salads or in summer pudding. Can be cooked in pies and tarts. Can be pureed and added to ice cream, sorbets and drinks. Can be used to make jams and preserves.
Blackcurrant
Rubus
Description
A small thin-skinned berry with a sour juicy fruit.
Native to the northern hemisphere, widely cultivated for many years.
Use
Remove the stem and rinse in a colander, drain well . Use fresh in sprinkled with sugar in fruit salads or in summer pudding. Can be cooked in pies and tarts. Can be pureed and added to ice cream, sorbets and drinks. Can be served with lamb or chicken. Can be used to make jams and preserves.
Blueberry
Vaccinium spp.
Description
A small intense blue berry that has a bloom on its skin.
Native to Britain, east Asia and North America.
Use
Wash gently, drain and dry. Can be added fresh to fruit salads or cooked in pies and tarts. Can be used to make jams and preserves.
Boysenberry
Rubus
Description
A cluster of tiny, red-purple berries that grow on a rambling plant.
A combination of blackberry, loganberry and raspberry developed by Rudolph Boysen in the 1930's in California.
Use
Wash gently, drain and dry. Can be added fresh to fruit salads or cooked in pies and tarts. Can be pureed and added to ice cream and sorbets. Can be used to make jams and preserves.
Cape Gooseberry
Physalis peruviana
Also known as: Golden berry, Strawberry tomato, Tomatillo, Ground cherry
Description
A round yellow-green fruit similar to a cherry tomato with a flesh somewhat similar to a gooseberry, has a tart flavour.
Native to South America, introduced to South Africa in the 19th century from where its popular name is derived.
Use
Wash and dry. Can be added or pureed and added to ice cream and sorbets. Can be used to make jams and preserves.
Cherry
Prunus spp.
Description
A stoned, round, rich red or purple berry that grows on slender stems in bunches.
Native to Europe, the Romans are thought to have introduced it to Britain.
Use
Wash, drain, dry and remove stones. Can be eaten fresh or added to fruit salads or with cheese. Cooked in pies and tarts. Can be pureed and added to ice cream and sorbets. Can be added to soups and sauces or cooked with chicken and duck. Can be used to make jams and preserves.
Chestnut
Castanea sativa
Description
It is beleived that the ancient Greeks may have introduced the European chestnut from Asia.
They have been cultivated for at least 3,000 years, the Romans distributed them widely.
Use
Very popular around Christmas time, can be simply roasted or added to many dishes both sweet and savoury, including soups, stuffings, desserts, sweets and candies, etc.
Citron
Citrus medica
Also known as: Kitron
Description
A large lemon shaped fruit with a tough, thick fragrant yellow-green rind.
Native to China, was the first citrus fruit to be introduced to the Mediterranean around 500BC.
Use
Wash and dry. Remove the peel with a sharp knife. Use the peel in biscuits, cakes, desserts and confectionery. Glacéd peel can be used in rich fruit cakes.
Cumquat
Fortunella spp.
Also known as: Kumquat
Description
A berry-like small orange with a sweet, thin skin and bitter fruit.
Native to China, introduced to Europe in 1847.
Use
Wash and dry. Serve when fully ripe, either unpeeled or peeled. Can be served with fish and duck or game, used to garnish meat or fish, made into marmalade or preserved in brandy.
Currant
Rubus
Description
A small thin-skinned berry with a sour juicy fruit.
Native to the northern hemisphere, widely cultivated for many years.
Use
Remove the stem and rinse in a colander, drain well . Use fresh in sprinkled with sugar in fruit salads or in summer pudding. Can be cooked in pies and tarts. Can be pureed and added to ice cream, sorbets and drinks. Can be served with lamb or chicken. Can be used to make jams and preserves.
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