Traditionally the 21^st of June marks the beginning of summer in the northern hemisphere, known as the summer solstice. From now until well into September we will enjoy some of the year’s most exciting fruit which so desperately needs the sun to really thrive.

After the long winter months where apples, pears and citrus fruits are bountiful, spring brings purity and freshness into the kitchen with its vegetables yet its fruit never really inspires. Only the first early summer cherries can compare to the first fresh peas – the variety, quality and flavour of summer fruits is beyond anything in the yearly fruit & vegetable calendar.

Now is the time for cherries…they are phenomenal, very large and sourced from Moissac in France where we feel the best cherries are grown. Nothing beats a bowl of ice-chilled water filled with cherries – their season is short so take advantage. Our Italian melons, particularly the ones from Mantova, are out of this world.

Stone fruit is just beginning and although not at its peak worth enjoying…flat peaches are the best, followed by white and then yellow peaches all sourced from southern Italy. Apricots are amazing right now – again we source them in France as nowhere else compares. France also brings us the special Mara des Bois strawberry, highly prized by chefs for their flavour reminiscent of wild strawberries. Closer to home we have the first proper British strawberries.

We urge you to compare our fruits with those found in supermarkets and markets today…Natoora will rekindle your memories of how fruit used to taste when you were growing up.