The first of the Mandarines have arrived from Italy. These fruits, considered the origin of both clementine and satsuma have a stronger flavour than both but are not seedless.

We saw this morning the first arrival of RAF tomatoes on the left and Green Tiger tomatoes on the right. Both coming from the same grower in Almeria “Spain”. These Winter tomatoes make a big visual impact and have a slight hint of lime in the flavour.

The first Red Label French kiwi are here. They cannot be sold until mid December as the sugar content has to reach at least 12%.

As Brittany baby violet Artichokes are coming to an end , we are buying some lovely Baby Artichoke from Italy - quite similar to the Brittany when they are at their best. Coming by 16 in a box, it’s a good bargain for this time of the year.

True blood oranges will not start until late in January, but these Moro from Italy do have some colour in the flesh. The fruit has a good flavour but the juice will not have much red colour so use for decoration at the moment.

We saw these superb bunched onions just arriving on the market staight from the plane after a long journey from Egypt!!! Rungis must be closer to Egypt than we thought as the onion looks so fresh!!! Really a product to have.

Just another odd product this week, we thought we should talk about these very thin leeks called by the French “Drum Stick”. Perhaps not one for the supermarket shelves but of much more interest to the Chef.

A firm favourite at this time of year with retailers and hotels alike  are these apples with a shooting star motif on them. These are Braeburn from Switzerland and although a little expensive, they typifiy the ‘season of goodwill’ and over indulgence!

New arrival of the Superb Castel Franco lettuce coming from Italy. Probably the most beautifull lettuce we can find, this Castel Franco is part of the new season of winter radicchios.   Coloured pink and yellow, this lettuce is the mix between (trevisano, chicory, butterhead and escarole). More for decoration than for flavour, this salad really shows off on a plate.

The Bing cherries from Chile have proved to be both popular and of a high quality and today we saw the first example of the sweet Rainier variety. Very bright and colourful, sure to brighten up all sorts of dishes and bowls.

We saw these beautifull red Corne de Boeuf sweet red peppers this morning coming from Spain. Their quality is absolutly superb and the season is exactly right.  The general flavour is that of peppers and not a million miles away from the flavour of Clovis but with a sweet twist.

The mango season(s) are changing now with the best Kent coming from Peru this week. On the left are Early Gold mangoes from the island of Réunion which have a fantastic flavour and absolutely no fibre.

One regular product we never put the spot light on. These beautifull Savoy cabbages seen this morning coming from Brittany are at least 1.5kg each. Packed by 6s we will supply them during all the winter.

Now is the time for exotic fruit!

Air-freighted lychees are arriving in good quantities from South Africa, Madagascar, Mauritius and Réunion. Mostly packed in approcimately 4kg boxes, 2kg boxes of loose are also available.

One of the most beautiful and curious roots has started this week. Capucine Tubers are absolutely stunning. Born in Peru, this root is now cultivated in France. Can be eaten raw, or cooked as potatoes.   Yet another of the excellent selection of roots available including, Oca du Perou; Chervil Skirret; Chervil Tubers; Crosnes; Parsley Root; Helianthus; Topanimbur; Japanese Radish and Salsify.

Untreated fruit is becoming more popular and these clementines and lemons fill the bill, having no treatment before or after harvesting. The region they come from is usually accociated with the Interdonato lemon (right) which is a natural hybrid of a lemon and a lime and enjoys a Protected Geographic Indication.

Here are the very tiny “Maris Peers” coming from Portugal.   The calibration is 20/28 and this variety joins the Galante & Amandine from France in the same size.  Waxy potatoes which are great in salads.

Other citrus available now includes these kumquats that come from the Vars region of France. They have a little leaf and are very popularwith the French. They are also being harvested in the Nicois region and these comand quite a premium.

The first Tunisian Tomatoes have arrived this week like this round calibre 57/67. The Tunisian tomatoes are well known on the market for their flavour, which is very rare for tomatoes during winter. If you are looking for flavour Tunisia is what you need.

Sonya apples are large, colourful, crunchy and sweet and joins our growing collection of specialist apples. Often referred to as the ‘Christmas Apple’ by the French they certainly brighten up fruit bowls with their colour.

These Navelinas oranges are worth a mention because of their thin skin and wonderful sweet flesh.

Already here!!! The new campaign of broad beans from Spain has started this week.

Good taste and not too big- Moroccan season has started as well but the Spanish are the best at the moment.

For anyone looking for large citrus fruits, these Nule Clementines could be the answer. Cell-packed in six kilo trays they weigh around 170gr each!

Here is a little  of the new season Spanish Artichoke.

Green pointed on the left available in calibre 12 and 18.  On the right some superb purple round artichoke available in calibre 18. All coming from the same producer in Spain - OLE.  

European strawberries are becoming harder to source and the eating quality is not as good as it was. Hence the first arrivals of Egyptian fruit. Strawberries from Morocco are also available but we are not happy with the quality yet.

The first of the air-freighted melons have arrived from the Domincan Republic and they look clean if a little green. We cannot comment on the flavour as yet.

Haven’t seen any for a while on the market. Red hot Chilli peppers are back with a very nice product from Morocco. Taste one for yourself. HOT HOT HOT!!!!

Goldrush apples are possibly the finest eating apple. A gold colour with a good pink blush and a speckled skin, they are crunchy, sweet and full of flavour. This is just one of the varieties we offer from our specialist of old fashioned varieties.  The same supplier continues to offer “Patte de Loup” (Wolf’s Claw) which in olden days was stuffed with foie gras and baked in the oven.

Much asked for by those who have had these products before, they have at last arrived.  Capucine tubers will join them next week.  Something different and good which allows chef’s to be their own creators.

Lychee are arriving by air from various origins. Fruit left on the branch (left) from Mautitius and loose fruit in two kilo boxes from Madagascar and South Africa (right).  The loose ones, although having less colour than those on the branch still have bags of flavour and are large calibres.

We saw these stunning red “Clovis peppers” arriving this morning along with green Clovis. The “Clovis” peppers can best be described as the wild or the authentique version of peppers, nothing to compare with the Californian which are more usual and standard. With the “Clovis” no standard Bell shape,   but instead a beautiful natural long shape with much more flavour. We recommend them this week - just taste the difference!

Oranges are beginning to become more of a talking point now with the first arrivals of the specialist juice variety Salustiana. Smaller calibre fruit ideal for automatic machines are short this week but we would anticipate arrivals next week. The quality is already good, the skin beautifully thin and there is plenty of juice.

Unwaxed and untreated (after harvesting) citrus fruit is now European new season. We are offering the famous Eureeka Nicoise lemon from France (left) and the very good, sweet flavoured Navel from Italy (right).  Both offered with leaves which enhances their appearance.  Great products for zesting.

To compliment the baby pears that we already offer, we are now able to source cherry apples as well.  Ideal for patisserie applications, they really do look and taste like baby apples!