We enjoyed tasting some superb white flat peaches from Spain this morning. A good size now and sweet and very juicy.

Summer cauliflower (right) are getting really good this week. We loved the Romanesco (left) seen on the market quality is getting better and better each arrival and prices are slowly getting reasonable.

Good quality boat mangoes have begun again as the season starts in Senegal. Very good air freight fruit is also available from there and superb fruit from Mexico too. All are the Kent variety.

This picture is a good example of how the French are passionate about courgette. Produced in Provence these courgettes are carefully hand packed in 5 or 9kg boxes.  

Spanish stone fruit still has the edge quality wise as their season is in full swing. These are yellow AAA calibre fruit and are packed oly 16-18 fruit to the standard sized box.

Already here!!!! New season beetroot Chioggia, Golden and White have arrived this week from Brittany. 

Trompette arrived from Bulgaria today and although not that dark, they are good and dry with some aroma. On the right is a comparison of imported girolle sizes we currently offer.

Plumcot or Flavorella are arriving from Tunisia. A cross between a plum and an apricot, they have a smooth yellow skin with a hint of blush and a plumy flesh that is sweet and juicy with a hint of sharp.

Baby Basil grown by our grower in Fontainebleau has arrived this week. Discovered last year this product had very good success in the kitchen. To make it even better this year we are offering it in a punnet, which is probably better than the loose tray.

We are not listing this product as we a little uncertain of supply, but these cherries-on-the-branch looked stunning and although not graded, seemed to be nearly all large fruit.

This is Amaranthe bi-colour, also a newcomer from our baby leaf grower. A touch of colour on your plate.

French wild mushrooms are starting and both cepe and girolle are becoming available. Summer cepe are well known for their infestations as warm, damp weather means that flies lay their eggs. We will always try to keep this percentage to a minimum.

The best girolle are coming from Sologne, from a size point of view at least, although Corrèze and other regions have great smelling examples too.

This is the first new harvest shallot of the year. Coming from Anjou, the new harvest shallot is always great to see with its yellow skin. Flavour is sweeter than the late harvest.

Yellow round courgette from Provence are now getting more regular on the market The season is not very long so better jump in while they are here. Also green round courgette from Provence are stunning too.

Forgetting the air miles issue, these flat peaches from New Zealand are pretty good. Although slightly immature when we tried them, the fruit had flavour and we felt it would become more juicy as it ripened.

The purple garlic from Argentina is excellent and we believe this producers country is 2nd only to France. By using French seeds and techniques they have been able to provide us with superb garlic all year round.

Barhi dates have arrived by air from Namibia. They are a green to golden colour which go darker as the fruit softens and ripens. The process can be speeded up by placing the fruit in the freezer for a couple of hours or over night.

Please see the first of Saveols “authentique” tomato varieties for 2010 with loads more to come.  Not to be confused with Saveols more industrial and commercial varieties now sometimes seen in the UK supermarkets.  Saveol are based in Brittany, each year their season seems to get longer.  The varieties on the left, reading from top to bottom are as follows.  Sicilian, which is a large thin ribbed deep red beef tomato packed in a 6kg tray, great for thin sliced presentation.  Next is the brand new variety Carmen which is a large cocktail tomato on the vine, packed in a 2.5kg tray, this variety has some bite to it. At the foot of the page is a variety launched 3-4 years ago, Noire de Crimea, which has proved to be very popular.  This comes in a 3.5kg tray and is a “black” slightly smaller ribbed beef tomato with different calibres available.

Green William pears have started to arrive from Argentina. The first cases from this supplier looked good as the colour was changing to a golden green, not the deep green that means the fruit is rock hard and almost inedible.

The first Gariguette strawberry has arrived, (through the snow!). As with all strawberries, the first flush is large fruit, but despite this and the apparent white shoulders, the flavour is surprisingly good.

Lots of decent artichokes on the market but best at the moment are these Egyptian purple ones.  The Spanish and Italian crops are suffering some climate damage.

Sea-freight Nectarines have arrived from Chile and although care has to be taken selecting the right shipment for firmness and interior quality, the fruit has good colour and flavour.

The baby San Marzano tomatoes from Marmande (pictured left) started a couple of weeks ago. Flavour and texture already excellent and they will improve even more with time. Also a similar product which is also very good at the moment is the Sicilian Datterino on the vine.

To help with fruit bowls in particular, we are offering these Gaviota plums. With their obvious skin colouring they brighten up any display and the eating quality is ‘correct’.

The first French Asparagus arrived this week and looks really good. The green, only available from a specialist grower so far, does command a premium over the already expensive white! Perhaps more for information at this stage than menu changes!

Clementines are not a new product, indeed the season is nearly at a close, but these are worth a mention. They are Orri from Spain, with the leaf, and are grown from the Or variety usually available at this time from Israel. Only two producers have the necessary certification to grow them and the result is well calibrated, full flavoured fruit with a hint of sharpness.

Here they are. The first Artichokes Calico from Spain have arrived in the market this morning.Coming by 12 these Artichokes are the largest product we can get. Quantities are a bit limited this week which explains their cost but in the weeks to come the price will drop as more quantities become available. Also coming from the same region the Salambo are also great at the moment.

Plums are very good at the moment with Fortune eating pretty well. These are Black Amber and are much larger being 65-70mm.

We saw this morning these superb thin Aubergines coming from Italy, about 30 cm long. We thought it was a superb product to look at and how odd it was. Looks stunning on display.

Worth a mention this week are these organic Primofiori lemons with leaf that are coming through with a full yellow colour and also Spanish strawberries that are not only full red but are also starting to taste very  good!

Vine tomatoes from Alpille have started! Our tomato grower based in Provences has sent to us his first crop this week. Quantities received are limited so far but will increase in the following month.We are able to supply this product from now until mid November. Definately one of the Oakleaf top sales. We love this product. Also coming from the same grower the first Plum vine tomatoes.

Sea Kale is apt to get bruised or damaged in transport and should be eaten very soon after cutting. Peeling is unnecessary before boiling, making seakale a ready-to-eat vegetable. It can be served alone or served with shellfish, fish or meat.

These are Amandine potatoes in peat from the grower’s market. They come from Mr Alain Rousseau’s farm near Chartres in centre of France. They are one of the best varieties produced in France, good for most things except chips. Packed in a 10kg wooden box they look even more authentic, a really nice product to have in a kitchen or in a display. Also coming from the same producer: Baby Annabelle, Annabelle +35 and Cherie +35. We love these potatoes !!

The first Moscatel grape arrived by air from Chile this week. As each year, the first arrivals always command a huge premium even when the flavour is not as good as it will be, but we would expect the price to drop as other marques and more quantities arrive and the flavour will improve.

Here they are- the first Vine Tomatoes from Provence have arrived this week on the market. Already superb to look at the flavour will improve with more sun. As far as we know our famous grower “Alpilles” is due to start his new campaign next week. We will let you know...

Now that the blushed Comice pear is no longer available, a good substitute we found this week is a blushed Abate. Don’t be put off by the longer shape as the eating quality is very good and the extra colour speaks for itself!

Seedless grapes, always very popular with the English market, are very good this week enjoying a large size, a crisp and crunchy skin texture and a good flavour across all colours.

These are Bergamot lemons from Morocco and they have the added advantage of being organic. Although not that large they pack a huge punch as far as flavour goes. They are slightly more acidic than the primofiori available at the moment but the bergamot flavour is very pronounced and can also be smelt when the lemon is cut.

We saw this morning, the first young onions “Cebettes” coming from Maroc. Looks stunning in those bunches. Coming in a box of 15 bunches. 

Blood oranges, Sanguinelli, are just beginning but we do not anticipate any more arrivals until next week. The only calibre left on the market this morning was a very small calibre 10 so we will not list the fruit until next week. The colour is correct for the start of the season and will get better.

These are fine beans from Senegal which we have been supplying for a couple of weeks. We thought they were good enough to talk about. They are fine, soft, snappable and green with a great flavour. For all of those reasons this makes these beans one of the top products of the moment.

This is the first plum for several weeks that we are happy to offer. It is a Sapphire from South Africa and although it looks slightly scruffy in the box, a quick rub soon brings up the shine. The flesh is yellow with a hint of red and quite sweet – all of which will improve as it ripens.

Don’t forget our dry promotions that include San Daniele ham and all the products highlighted on the dry list including Reggiano, Port Salut, Epoisse, Pont l’Eveque, lardons and Glucose Syrup.

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!