Seasonal Update - 1st May 2012

As we emerge from a cool wet April, I am hopeful for more seasonal shifts next week.Wild MushroomsMorels are still excellent from Turkey.St Georges & Mousserons from Europe are mighty fine.We are chasing our Eastern European contacts for Girolles, as the Moroccan ones on the market aren’t worth touching.  We expect this week to herald the end of Chanterelle, Trompette & Pied de Mouton from the US.The flush of South African Cep is over. Next stop Eastern Europe in August unless we have a nice surprise.TrufflesSummer Truffles are down in price from Umbria. FruitsGariguette Strawberries from France are down in price.Alphonso Mangoes are coming through in excellent condition.We are dipping our toe into the stone fruit season from Morocco, and Spain is just around the corner. Vegetables Genuine nicely trimmed Poivrade Artcihokes have kicked off in Brittany.Our forager in Scotland is delivering Rock Samphire this week - far removed from the more commonplace marsh variety.He is also sending me a sample of Fresh Seaweed (as apposed to the over salted French product). Spruce Shoots are still too imature to harvest.