This guide explores seasonal fruits in Australia throughout the year. Understanding what's in season can help you make healthier choices and enjoy the best flavours. We'll cover fruits from summer's mangoes to winter's citrus, providing a comprehensive calendar of nature's offerings.This guide will focus on fruit, for seasonal vegetables, see our guide: Vegetables in Season

Health Benefits of Eating Seasonally in Australia

Eating seasonally offers benefits for your health, wallet and the environment. Here's why choosing in-season fruits is advantageous:

Nutritional Value: Seasonal fruits often contain more vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. They're allowed to ripen naturally, maximising their nutritional content.

Environmental Impact: Seasonal produce typically requires fewer artificial inputs like heating or excessive water use. This reduces the overall carbon footprint of fruit production.

Cost-Effectiveness: In-season fruits are usually more abundant and therefore more affordable. The principle of supply and demand leads to lower prices when fruits are plentiful.

Supporting Local: Buying in season fruit is a great way to support local. Read more about buying local in our Farmers Market Guide.

Improved Flavour: Seasonal fruits develop full flavours and optimal textures when allowed to ripen naturally on the plant.

Food Safety: Remember the importance of properly cleaning your vegetables to remove potential contaminants and ensure food safety. Our ReFresh spray is an effective way to clean your veges without water, preserving their freshness and extending shelf life.

By choosing seasonal fruits, you benefit your health, community and the environment while enjoying superior taste and value.

Summer Fruits in Australia (December to February)

Australian summers offer a variety of delicious fruits. Here's what to enjoy and how to care for them:

Top 5 Summer Fruits

1. Mangoes: Peak season from November to February. Popular varieties include Kensington Pride and R2E2.
2. Strawberries: Particularly sweet in summer, especially from Victoria growers.
3. Cherries: Prime in December and January, grown in Victoria, New South Wales, and Tasmania.
4. Peaches and Nectarines: At their juiciest from late December through February.
5. Watermelon: Abundant and refreshing from December to February.

Selecting and Storing Summer Fruits

Mangoes: Choose fruits that yield slightly to pressure. Before storing, spray thoroughly with ReFresh to remove any pesticide residues and preserve freshness. Allow to air dry, then store at room temperature until ripe, and refrigerate afterwards.

Strawberries: Select bright red berries with fresh green caps. Treat with ReFresh spray before refrigerating to extend shelf life and ensure they're free from contaminants. This eliminates the need for rinsing before eating, saving water.

Cherries: Pick firm, shiny cherries with green stems. Spray liberally with ReFresh, allow to drip dry, then refrigerate. This process removes any waxy coatings and preserves the cherries' crisp texture.

Peaches and Nectarines: Select fruits that give gently to pressure. Apply ReFresh spray to remove pesticides and fungicides, then let air dry. Ripen at room temperature, then refrigerate for longer storage.

Watermelon: Choose heavy melons with a yellow ground spot. For cut pieces, spray exposed flesh with ReFresh before storing in a container in the refrigerator. This helps maintain freshness without affecting taste.

By using ReFresh on these summer fruits, you're not only ensuring they're clean and safe to eat, but also extending their shelf life and reducing water usage. This approach allows you to fully enjoy the flavours of Australian summer while making environmentally conscious choices.

Autumn Fruits in Australia (March to May)

As the weather cools, Australia's autumn brings a new selection of fruits to enjoy. Here's what you can look forward to during these months:

5 Must-Try Autumn Fruits

1. Apples: Autumn is prime apple season in Australia. Varieties like Royal Gala, Fuji, and Pink Lady are at their crisp best.
2. Pears: Both European and Asian pear varieties flourish in autumn, offering a range of textures and flavours.
3. Figs: Fresh figs are a delightful autumn treat, with their peak season running from February to May.
4. Grapes: Many Australian grape varieties reach their peak in autumn, particularly in regions like the Barossa Valley.
5. Persimmons: These sweet, orange fruits come into season during autumn, offering a unique flavour to your fruit bowl.

Selecting and Storing Autumn Fruits

Apples: Choose firm apples with smooth, unblemished skin. After bringing them home, spray thoroughly with ReFresh to remove any pesticide residues and waxes. Allow to air dry, then store in the refrigerator for optimal crispness.

Pears: Select pears that are firm but yield slightly to pressure at the stem end. Spray with ReFresh, let dry, and store at room temperature until ripe, then refrigerate.

Figs: Look for soft, fragrant figs. As these delicate fruits are often untreated, a light spray of ReFresh helps remove any surface contaminants without damaging the skin. Store in the refrigerator after treatment.

Grapes: Choose plump, firmly attached grapes. Spray the bunch liberally with ReFresh, allowing excess to drip off. This process removes pesticides and helps prevent mold growth during storage. Refrigerate in a ventilated container.

Persimmons: Select fruits that are deep orange and slightly soft for immediate eating, or firmer for later ripening. Apply ReFresh spray, allow to dry, and store at room temperature until ripe, then refrigerate.

Using ReFresh on your autumn fruits not only ensures they're clean and free from pesticides but also helps maintain their freshness for longer. This is particularly beneficial for fruits like apples and pears, which you might store for extended periods. Remember, there's no need to rinse after using ReFresh, saving water and time in your fruit preparation routine.

Winter Fruits in Australia (June to August)

While winter may seem less fruitful, Australia still offers a variety of delicious fruits during the cooler months. Here's what you can enjoy:

Top 5 Winter Fruits

1. Citrus Fruits: Oranges, mandarins, and grapefruits are at their peak during winter.
2. Kiwifruit: Both green and gold varieties are abundant in winter months.
3. Custard Apples: These unique, sweet fruits are in season from late autumn through winter.
4. Pears: Many varieties of pears continue to be available through winter.
5. Avocados: While technically a fruit, avocados are plentiful during winter in many parts of Australia.

Tips for Choosing and Storing Winter Fruits

Citrus Fruits: Select fruits that feel heavy for their size. Before storage, spray liberally with ReFresh to remove any pesticide residues and waxes. This is particularly important for citrus fruits, which are often heavily treated. Allow to air dry, then store in the refrigerator to maintain freshness.

Kiwifruit: Choose firm fruits that yield slightly to pressure. Spray with ReFresh, paying attention to the fuzzy skin which can trap contaminants. Let dry naturally, then store at room temperature until ripe, and refrigerate afterwards.

Custard Apples: Look for fruits with a greenish-grey colour that give slightly when pressed. Treat with ReFresh spray to clean the textured skin effectively without water. Store at room temperature until ripe, then refrigerate.

Pears: Select firm pears for later ripening. After treating with ReFresh spray, store at room temperature until ripe, then move to the refrigerator. The spray helps prevent premature spoilage during the ripening process.

Avocados: Choose firm avocados for later ripening. Spray with ReFresh to clean the skin and help prevent the spread of any mold spores. Allow to dry, then store at room temperature until ripe. Once ripe, refrigerate if not consuming immediately.

Using ReFresh on your winter fruits is especially beneficial during this season when many fruits are imported or stored for longer periods. The spray helps remove not just pesticides, but also waxes and other coatings that are often used to preserve fruits during transportation and storage. This allows you to enjoy the pure taste of the fruit without any residues.

Remember, after using ReFresh, there's no need to rinse your fruits before eating. This not only saves water but also preserves the protective benefits of the spray, helping your winter fruits stay fresh for longer in storage.

Spring Fruits in Australia (September to November)

Spring brings a refreshing change to the fruit scene in Australia, with a mix of late winter fruits and early summer varieties. Here's what you can look forward to:

5 Delicious Spring Fruits

1. Strawberries: While available year-round, QLD strawberries are particularly sweet in early spring.
2. Blueberries: Spring marks the beginning of the blueberry season in many parts of Australia.
3. Loquats: These small, sweet fruits are a springtime treat in many Australian gardens.
4. Papaya: Spring sees an abundance of this tropical fruit in northern Australia.
5. Limes: Both regular and Kaffir limes are plentiful in spring.

Best Practices for Selecting and Storing Spring Fruits

Strawberries: Choose bright red berries with fresh green caps. Spray thoroughly with ReFresh to remove pesticide residues and prevent mold growth. Allow to air dry in a single layer before refrigerating. This treatment eliminates the need for washing before eating, preserving the berries' texture.

Blueberries: Select firm, plump berries with a deep blue colour. Treat with ReFresh spray, gently turning the berries to ensure full coverage. Let them dry naturally, then store in the refrigerator. This process helps extend shelf life without compromising the delicate bloom on the berries.

Loquats: Pick fruits that are soft and orange-yellow in colour. As these are often homegrown or locally sourced, a light ReFresh spray helps remove any environmental contaminants. Allow to dry, then store at room temperature if eating soon, or refrigerate for longer storage.

Papaya: Choose papayas that yield to gentle pressure and have a yellow-orange skin. Spray liberally with ReFresh to clean the skin effectively. This is particularly important as papayas are often eaten with the skin. Let air dry, then store at room temperature until ripe, and refrigerate once cut.

Limes: Select firm, heavy limes with smooth skin. Treat with ReFresh spray to remove any wax coatings and pesticides, paying attention to the textured skin. Allow to air dry, then store in the refrigerator. This treatment helps preserve the limes' freshness, especially important if you're using the zest.

Using ReFresh on your spring fruits is an excellent way to ensure they're clean and free from contaminants as you transition into the warmer months. The spray is particularly beneficial for delicate fruits like berries, helping to extend their shelf life without the need for excessive handling or washing.

Remember, ReFresh-treated fruits don't require rinsing before consumption, saving water and preserving the fruits' natural protective qualities. This makes your spring fruit preparation easier and more environmentally friendly.