What’s in season: Queensland lemon season is just beginning which should see lemon prices easing in coming weeks. Queensland-grown Keitt variety mangoes are also on their way and looking sensational; while stonefruit sizes continue to grow. Here’s our picks for the best seasonal produce to enjoy this January.

Keitt Mangoes

Keitt variety mangoes out of Mareeba are looking like some of the best Keitt mangoes we’ve ever seen. Warm weather has given them a high blush and incredible sweetness. Keitt mangoes are naturally sweet and tangy, with a slight citrusy flavour; while their flesh is bright yellow, juicy and firm with minimal fibres. Their skin retains some green colouring even when perfectly ripe, with an orange blush.

Look for: A vibrant orange blush over skin that retains some green. Flesh should have slight give when touched, and the smell should be sweet, fragrant and appealing.

Lemons

Lemon lovers rejoice: Queensland lemon season is just starting, which is good news for the hip pocket! While some Australian lemons have been on shelves over the last few weeks, the majority has been coming from the US to pad out local supply. Normal retail price sits between about $3.99 to $4.99 per kilo; however, the weak Australian dollar has pushed up local prices of imported US fruit. As the volume of Queensland-grown lemons picks up over the next 4-6 weeks, shoppers should see an easing of those higher prices.

Look for: a vibrant yellow colour. Lemons should be firm when touched; and looking for fruit with slight give when pressed gently should mean more fruit and less pith.

Stonefruit

Peaches, nectarines, plums, apricots and cherries are in abundant supply at the moment, despite pre-Christmas rainfall. Fruit size gets bigger at this time of year, with the warmer weather great for producing flavourful, high-brix fruit – an extra sweet deal for shoppers!

Look for: Smooth, unblemished fruit that has a deep colour, an appealing fresh fragrance, and plump flesh that gives slightly when gently pressed. Stonefruits bruise easily so handle them with care.

Watch our Victorian stonefruit harvest update below

Strawberries

Hot weather in Victoria has seen a strong supply of super-sweet strawberries making their way to supermarket shelves. Our own Red Rich Fruits labelled strawberries are coming from the Wandin and Coldstream areas in the Yarra Valley – keep an eye out for our punnets in store!

Look for: bright to deep red colour all over with plump flesh and a sweet scent.

Blueberries

It may seem like an odd name for a blueberry variety, but “Rabbiteye” blueberries grown in Coffs Harbour have been plentiful in supply in recent weeks. They’re the last of our Coffs Harbour blueberries to be harvested for 2 weeks, before the Victorian blueberry season commences.

Look for: Blueberries should be completely deep blue in colour, with smooth skin.