New fruits to try?

Kitty777

Hello

I have a HUGE sweet tooth, and this often means that I have 3-5 portions of fruit alone in one day (my teeth, eeek!!)

Some of my favourites include raspberries, blueberries and strawberries...however they have suddenly become really expensive (out of season?)

Does anyone recommend any cheap alternatives to try? Things that may be in season or something similar?

I don't fancy paying £3 for 260grams of blueberries...which will last me 3-4 days max...but like some people with chocolate/sweets...they just cannot last long in my fridge

SailorSam

Hi Kitty, I've been out in the garden all day cutting down my hedge. I got a load of different berry bushes from the £shop a few years ago and have been eating them for free, some have grown better than others, but unfortunately that seems to be it for this year now. I suppose all the ones you see in the shops now have to be flown in from where the weather is a bit better. So not as good but i'm going back onto the mixed dried fruit for about £1 to go on top of my Weetabix,

Kitty777

I have defiantly considered that, but moving from rental place to rental place it has been hard. I have a few strawberry plants, and in the summer I get my straws, bberies and rasps from a local farm near me. They are slightly lower priced, but picked to my mouth in a matter of hours (if that!) such a luxury these days.

Oh and of course, I have had my fair share of blackberries for free this year too. Thank you nature

I may just have to budget the higher priced things in as a treat, or look out for reduced ones. I often get reduced plums/nectarines when I do my shops...same with my veg.

Coopdivi

Frozen blueberries and cherries are ok and reasonably cheap at 55p and 48p per 100 grams respectively.

http://www.mysupermarket.co.uk/shelves/Frozen_Desserts_And_Fruit_in_Sainsburys.html?_fcategory=Frozen_Fruit

If you'd prefer fresh fruit, I'd recommend fresh dates which are completely different in looks, taste and texture to the dried ones. They are green and crunchy. While they are fairly sweet they also have a slightly resiny flavour. I doubt if you'll find them in any supermarkets but you might see them on sale in some greengrocers and asian shops.

jenniewb

If you keep an eye on this site:
http://eattheseasons.co.uk/
It can help give you a rough idea of what *should* be cheaper at whatever time of year. Sadly though because it can still be cheaper for supermarkets to buy in imported or frozen-then-defrosted-for-stores products it isn't always the case that you can buy UK grown products in every store. But if you do shop at street markets or green grocers these usually offer more UK grown fruit.


Rough rule of thumb? (and it is pretty rough!) the harder the skin or thicker the peel and the more protected the fruit is, the cooler the weather tends to be or the more likely the fruit is a winter fruit. There are many exceptions but as a very rough clue as to what will taste at it's best look for thicker or firmer skin in cooler months, thinner skins in summer.


At the moment, apples are pretty good, some are sweeter than others though so try a few different varieties before making up your mind.

MarkFromCornwall

Kitty777 wrote: »

Does anyone recommend any cheap alternatives to try?

Bananas are incredibly cheap. The cost per mouthful must be dozens of times lower than for blueberries.

pakokelso93

Agree with Mark there. I love my Rasb's and Strawb's too but not many good prices at the mo. Likes of Morrisons/Asda etc you get 5/6 Banana's for £1 or 10ish for £1.50. 10 keeps me going for a week.

Luckystar

If you like small fruit you can pick at, how about grapes ? I buy Tesco everyday value 500g for £1.25 I have never had a bad bunch, but always hunt underneath for the freshest

Kitty777

I buy bannanas and grapes weekly anyway

tanith

I tried figs for the first time this Summer and was pleasantly surprised they were sweet and tasty... I'm still picking a bowlful of raspberries from the garden ever day at the moment though. How about melon chopped up with mangoes.

camelot1001

I have been enjoying figs too, presently 99p for 4 in Ald!