Do you enjoy a trip to the local market or greengrocers to pick up some fresh summer fruit for a picnic on a balmy weekend? Summer offers a bounty of fruits and vegetables, making it one of the season's greatest delights. Although most fruit can be simply washed and enjoyed straight away, it's also a pleasure to use these seasonal treats in the kitchen to enhance the taste of your dishes. Let's look at our top 10 favourite summer fruits and some ideas on how to incorporate them into your meals.
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Often hailed as the superstars of the fruit kingdom, blueberries bring a touch of sweetness and vibrancy to summer. Their delightful balance of tart and sweet flavours is perfect for many dishes, whether it's invigorating your breakfast cereal, brightening a salad or adding depth to a dessert. They're also an excellent ally for your health.
Blackberries
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Blackberries, with their rich, dark hue and plump bodies, encapsulate the essence of summer. Their flavour, a compelling blend of sweet and mildly tart, adds a wonderful depth to a variety of dishes. Whether baked into a pudding, blended into a refreshing smoothie or eaten fresh, their flavour truly shines. Rich in vitamins and dietary fibre, they're a nourishing as well as delicious choice.
Watermelon
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The ultimate refreshment on a hot day, watermelon offers a satisfyingly juicy, cooling crunch. Mostly water, it's a fun way to stay hydrated, while its vibrant colour and sweet flavour make it a delightful addition to any fruit salad. Experiment with watermelon in your drinks for a cool, sweet treat, or freeze for a fun and easy watermelon granita.
Cherries
The sweet-tart flavours of cherries make them a favourite in the summer months. Whether savoured fresh, baked into a warming pie or preserved as jam, they maintain their delightful presence. They also add a healthy touch to your summer eating.
Strawberries
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With their vibrant red colour and sweet juice, strawberries are an irresistible summer fruit. Perfect fresh, served with dessert or coupled with cream, they make any dish special. Plus, they're high in vitamin C, making strawberries a delicious package of health and flavour.
Peaches
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With their velvety skin and juicy interior, peaches are a quintessential summer fruit. Their delicate balance of sweet and tart flavour lends itself well to both sweet and savoury dishes. From a traditional peach pudding to a fresh peach salsa, their unique flavour always stands out. Plus, they're rich in vitamins A and C, supporting overall health.
Raspberries
With their elegant structure and deeply sweet-tart flavour, raspberries add a note of luxury to any dish. Their unique taste makes them a lovely addition to a variety of desserts, such as the delicious chocolate mousse with raspberries, where they add a pop of colour and a rich taste.
Apricots
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Apricots, radiant like a summer sun, are a powerhouse of nutrition. Their sweet, slightly tart flavour brings a unique twist to your summer diet. They're a rich source of fibre and vitamins A and C, supporting your health in a delightful way. This apricot ice cream cake is the perfect dessert that beautifully marries the sun-ripened sweetness of apricots with the cooling creaminess of ice cream, creating a treat that's truly emblematic of summer indulgence.
Gooseberries
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Gooseberries are a delightful summer fruit with their unique balance of tart and sweet flavours. Traditionally used in desserts like a fool or crumble, they leave a lasting impression. Rich in fibre and vitamin C, they're as healthy as they are delicious.
Grapes
Grapes, with their unique balance of sweet and tangy flavours, are a summer delight. Easy to pack and share, they make a perfect companion for summer picnics. Their hydrating qualities, along with the variety of flavours offered by different grape varieties, make them a beloved summer fruit. Whether you prefer the sweet crunch of green grapes or the slightly tart burst of red ones, grapes are a joy to eat in the summer.
