10 Most Popular Fruits & the Cheapest Time to Buy Them + Recipes
10 Most Popular fruits & when to buy them ….
10 Most Popular Fruits!
Some of my fondest memories as a child revolves around fruit. Whether it was eating “yum-yums” (grapes) with my grandpa or going to the farmer's marker with my grandmother, fruit has always been my candy.
The best time to buy any fruit is when it's in season. That's when it's the cheapest and best tasting. Most of it can be frozen for use in cooking and smoothies, OR if you're like me, eating right out of the freezer. It tastes great and has a lot less calories than ice cream 😉
Unfortunately, my yum-yums didn't make the top ten list. If yours did, checkout when you can score them the cheapest and then stock-up!
Need some ideas on what to do with all the fruit you'll be buying? We've included some of our best recipes, just click on the link below each picture to get instructions and ingredients.
1. Apples
December is the best time to buy apples. Apples you buy in early winter will be from this year’s crop. Summer apples are either from another country or have been stored several months. Apples store very well but if you want the freshest buy in December.
2. Bananas
Bananas are never out of season. They don't grow from a seed but from a bulb or rhizome, and it takes 9-12 months from sowing a banana bulb to harvesting the fruit. Unlike other fruits which have a growing season, bananas are available all year round.
Need to keep your bananas for a long period of time? Put them in the produce drawer of your refrigerator after they are fully ripe. Refrigeration slows the ripening process considerably, but does not stop it. The peel will continue to turn brown, but the fruit will stay fresh and firm for 1 – 2 weeks.
Need a banana stand? Check these out from Amazon.
3. Pineapples
The best time to buy pineapples is from March through July. Pineapples are tropical fruits. Most of the pineapples you see in the supermarket are imported from South America, Mexico, and Puerto Rico. They are typically transported by boat or trucks. Hawaiian pineapples are flown in, therefore fresher. When picking out a pineapple look for strong color ones with crisp leaves. Avoid any that have dark or soft patches.
Great deals on a pineapple corer here.
Crock-Pot Slow Cooker Pineapple Ham Recipe
4. Papaya
The peak season for papaya is between early summer and fall. Most of the papayas imported come from Hawaii, but smaller quantities from Florida, California, Mexico, Puerto Rico, and other countries. Buy a papaya when it is half green and half yellow. Let it sit at room temperature until it's a predominantly yellow color. Place ripe, whole fruit in a plastic bag in the refrigerator, and it should last about a week.
Tropical Smoothie Bowls – courtesy of the Pint Sized Baker
5. Strawberries
Strawberries are in season from late April through August. When choosing a pack of strawberries take a sniff. If you smell a strong sweet fragrance, you've got some good berries. If you smell anything hinting of mold, fermentation, or foulness, they most likely won't last a day.
Fresh Strawberry Lemon Bundt Cake
6. Blueberries:
The North American blueberry season and harvest runs from April to late September. Blueberries sold at any other time are most likely imported from another country. Fresh blueberries should last for two weeks in your refrigerator – don't wash until you're ready to use them.
Amazon deals on produce storage here.
7. Raspberries:
8. Plums:
The best time to buy plums are in July. During the summer, the prices drop and the quality increases. Plums are in season somewhere in the US from the middle of May thru October, so if shopping local fruit markets check their schedule. When picking out plums choose ones that are heavy and not too soft.
Homemade Plum Jelly – courtesy of Mommy's Kitchen
9. Peaches:
The best time to buy peaches is in July. Out of season peaches are picked before they're ripe and can have a mealy, bland taste. The majority of peaches are harvested from mid-May until mid-August. Ripe peaches have a sweet smell, slightly soft body and be a dark golden yellow (not pale).
Nice hanging produce baskets – prices start at $17.99.
10. Pears:
Pears are little tricky -it depends on what variety you like. Bartlett pears start arriving in late summer. They're soon followed by Bosc and Comice which are in season in the fall through winter. The Anjou is known as a winter pear.
Grab a produce peeler 3-piece set here.
Chunky Pear-Cranberry Bread – courtesy of This Mama Loves
