Written by Tom Moggach
January 08, 2019

This month, highlights include blood oranges, Seville oranges, pink Yorkshire rhubarb and vibrant radicchios of all kinds.

Blood oranges from Sicily are now full colour. (They require cold nights to darken). Moro has the boldest colour - find out more about this fruit in our Product Profile. Seville oranges have landed, too - with their distinctive bumpy flesh.

Fruit And Veg Market January 2019 Seville Orange

Yorkshire forced rhubarb is a truly amazing ingredient - both in appearance and flavour. First boxes are now arriving on the market and are an essential for every menu. Spare a thought for our growers - mild winters makes their job even harder. (Meet leading growers and find kitchen inspiration in our Chef's Guide).

Fruit And Veg Market Report January 2019 Forced Rhubarb 2

From the Veneto region of Italy, this is prime time for all radicchios including the late-season Tardivo, pictured below. More info on the amazing production process here. Below is the rare Grumolo - a smaller type of radicchio.

Fruit And Veg Market Report January 2019 Radicchio

Fruit And Veg Market Report January 2019 Chicories

For British veg, this is a prime time for hardy veg such as cauliflowers, cabbages, Romanesco, leeks, purple sprouting and kales. Here's a decent order packed and ready to go.

Fruit And Veg Market Report January 2019 Order

Fruit And Veg Market Report January 2019 Romanesco

Fruit And Veg Market Report January 2019 Leeks

Fruit And Veg Market Report January 2019 Purple Sprouting

Sprouts are not just for Christmas! Support our growers by not forgetting this brassica, too. Tops and purple sprouts also available.

Fruit And Veg Market Report January 2019 Brussel Sprouts

For a splash of colour, don't forget British-grown Rainbow chard.

Fruit And Veg Market Report January 2019 Rainbow Chard

Root veg includes carrots, beetroots, turnips, swedes and decent Jerusalem artichokes.

Fruit And Veg Market Report January 2019 Jerusalem Artichokes

For something more exotic, how about agretti (a.k.a monk's beard) from Italy - a highly fashionable ingredient these days and available from traders such as French Garden and European Salad Company.

Fruit And Veg Market Report January 2019 Agretti

Other Continental specialties include puntarelle, salsify, cime di rapa, radishes of all kinds and offbeat roots such as crosnes and oca.

As for homegrown fruit, apples and pears are still going strong. Some of the best fruit is released from cold store in January. Varieties include Cox, russet, Braeburn, Comice (pictured below) and Conference.

Fruit And Veg Market Report January 2019 Comice Pear

From Italy and beyond, other varieties are muscling in, too - such as these red Williams pears.

Fruit And Veg Market Report January 2019 Pears

Fruit And Veg Market Report January 2019 Apples And Pears

Other fruit on form include clementines - moving now to the later Nardorcott variety. Other citrus in season, too, such as leafy lemons and cedro.

Fruit And Veg Market Report January 2019 Clementines

Fruit And Veg Market Report January 2019 Lemons

Pomegranates and kaki fruit are a good call.

Fruit And Veg Market Report January 2019 Pomegranates

Fruit And Veg Market Report January 2019 Persimmon

Excellent cherries are available, typically from Chile, but they are not cheap.

Fruit And Veg Market Report January 2019 Cherries

It's coming towards the end of the season for fresh chestnuts and walnuts.

Fruit And Veg Market Report January 2019 Chestnuts

Wild mushrooms include Trompette, Chanterelles, Pied de Mouton and truffles.

Here is a novel idea. Last year we met leading asparagus grower Andy Allen from Portwood Asparagus. (See our Chef's Guide to Asparagus). He is now testing the market for frozen asparagus, which is ideal for soups. This is sold by Side Salads on the market.