Market Report - UK Seasonal update 3 June 2013

In association with

Good morning chef

Here’s what seasonal delights are moving through our chiller this week: 

Wild Mushrooms

Morels - Quality down and prices up. We will be taking a low risk, little and often approach. Product coming from Serbia & Macedonia.

Girolles - Starting the week with a Bulgarian crop, then we have some babies due mid week from Bosnia.

Mousseron - In excellent shape from Bulgaria & France.

St George - Finished really. We may pick up the odd Kg when we are certain it’s good.

Cep - I have learnt from many a campaign not to get gutsy around summer cep. I’m still tempted though! You may see the odd Kg in the fridge to test the water. Maggots love to eat ceps as much as we do, especially before August.

Truffles

What a strong season for the Tuber Aestivum.

This makes what is considered a luxury item an affordable condiment. A 30g truffle which could grace many a plate could cost you less than a lady (£5 to the uninitiated).

Vegetables

An ingenious use of English Asparagus - click for the recipe

Baby vegetables from France are in good supply, and the range is broader than a very broad bean.

Prices for the mighty English Asparagus from the Wye Valley & Jersey Royals from one of the Channel Islands have dropped in price.

Fruits

One of the many joys of seasonal food buying, and it truly is a joy, is judging when to get in and out of a seasonal offering.

After tasting all 3 of the pictured above we have just hit the entry point for wet almonds, cherries & apricots.

All from Spain. All will get nicer and cheaper as the season develops.

I expect we will kick-off with yellow peaches & nectarines the week after next.

Got to love a cherry, even if you don’t regret losing it!

We will move from Spain to Turkey to England (my personal favourite) and finish in the USA (to meet out-of-European-season demand unfortunately) sorry France.

For those who crave otherworldly looks and unusual flavour profiles, the funky Dutch pineberry has hit the market - a South American variety saved from extinction by the clever horticulturists from Holland.

Heirloom tomatoes from France have come down in price nicely.

Have a great week