IN FRUIT
At last this would appear to be the week that the winter berries will really get going. It is still a little colder through the days than is really desirable but things are starting to happen. Perfect temperatures for the strawberries is really cold nights, down as low as five degrees and warm days up to say 27 or 28 degrees. Currently around 12 at night but only 21 through the day. They are definitely the best value, best eating, best flavoured strawberries of the year. The next 6 weeks are the peak for the year, the only problem is if we have heavy rain up there but so far there is none predicted. The other berry that is starting to build up in numbers are the Coffs Harbour / Byron Bay blueberries, so the next few weeks will be a feast of berries. Mandarins continue to be excellent with very few dry fruit this year, certainly the best season in the last five. New Zealand kiwi is fantastic and the long run of Paw Paw and Papaya continues. There is not a better weekend breakfast than fresh new season winter berries a generous slice of Papaya with fresh lime squeezed over it and one of our huge selection of fabulous yoghurts on the side. Bananas are great eating and the apple selection continues to delight me.
IN VEGETABLE
Most tomatoes are easing in price. Great winter staples of Caulies and Broccoli are cheaper than last week. Snow Peas are substantially cheaper than last week, and in fact half the price of a fortnight ago . The snow peas go with mushrooms, corn and red caps to make a fantastic winter stir fry - all much cheaper than they have been of late. Iceberg lettuce has eased a little and the basic hard produce lines of potatoes and onions continue to please the budget.
