Taste of Summer

With their refreshing taste and succulent flesh, Mangoes can really take the heat out of summer. If you’ve ever tried eating one, you’ll know that it can be an entertaining experience in itself. Mangoes are high in Vitamin A which helps maintain healthy skin and a strong immune system. To enhance the Mangoes natural sweetness, try combining them with the exotic flavour of the Lychee. They go well together with ice cream to make a delicious dessert.

Summer Party

You’ve set a date for your BBQ. Rung all your friends. Now the only question to ask is what food do you serve them? Well, for starters you could consider the delicious flavours of the Fig. Eaten for centuries in the Mediterranean, Figs are full of Vitamin C and fibre.

But don’t stop there, why not temper the taste of Figs with the sweet flavours and textures of Honeydew melons. High in vitamin C and folate (which is very rare in fruits) Honeydew melon works well with Figs on antipasti platters alongside olives and some roasted veggies. Delicious!

Caught Red Handed

Recent studies have suggested that the colour red provokes the strongest reaction in humans. That’s why stop signs are red. It could also be why a nice red Plum or Pomegranate looks so inviting. Both of these fruits are in season this month so now is the perfect time to get your hands on some. Just be sure to pay for them first. Pomegranates are an excellent source of Vitamin C, fibre and are rich in antioxidants. Plums also contain Vitamin C and fibre and taste delightful, especially when cut up over your cereal.

Autumn Dessert

This month we’re going to tell you how to enhance a delectable after dinner treat with some powerful ingredients from nature – Rhubarb and Chestnuts. You might not know this but many background extras on the set of Hollywood movies say the word “rhubarb” to make it look as if they’re talking. At Vogel’s on the other hand, we think Rhubarb is worth talking about anyway. With a long thin stalk and a purplish flesh, Rhubarb is high in calcium and contains moderate amounts of iron and fibre. It tastes good too.

Chestnuts are another typical autumn-winter flavour. Just crack open the shell to reveal the tasty white contents within. Try them in a puree instead of oats and flour for a delectable Rhubarb crumble. You won’t be disappointed.

Try Something New

Chances are you’ve never heard of the Feijoa (pronounced Fee-Joe-Ah). But it’s taking the world by storm. Originally from South America, the Feijoa tastes like the heavenly lovechild of a pineapple and a strawberry. They are high in Vitamin C, so they’re good for you as well. Try mixing the Feijoa’s unique flavour with something more familiar like Apples. Together they can be combined to make mouth watering chutneys, jams and sorbets.

Winter Comfort

Everybody has comfort foods that they can fall back on in times of need. To get started we’ll take a look at what can happen when you fuse the fantastic flavours of Pears and Quince to make a little comfort food of your own.

Pears are simply delicious. With a unique shape and a taste that's to die for, Pears are best eaten when ripe and juicy. Pears are a good source of fibre, folic acid and Vitamin C. Best of all they come in their own edible wrapping, so you can eat them when you’re on the move.

Even though it’s related to the Pear, the Quince is in a class of its own. High in Vitamin C, the Quince is a fruit that has to be cooked before you can eat it. But once you do, it has a taste that is sharp, tangy and flavourful. After you’ve cooked the Quince, you can then poach some Pears in the same water to make them taste fantastic.

Winter Immunity

Winter can mean that cold and flu season is here too! Nobody likes getting a runny nose or a sore throat. So to give your immune system a hand, you could try eating some of nature’s produce that is high in Vitamin C.

Kiwifruit has loads of Vitamin C. In fact, one Kiwifruit provides your entire recommended daily intake in a single serve. The best way to eat one is to cut it in half and dig out the flesh with a spoon. Yum! To offset the Kiwifruit’s tart, tangy taste, pair them with Bananas. Creamier and slightly sweeter, Bananas are also an excellent source of Vitamin C and have the added advantage of containing fibre and iron. Just watch what you do with the peel.

Winter Soothers

Sometimes despite your best efforts, you come down sick with a sore throat and watery eyes. Instead of reaching for the cold and flu medication or popping cough lollies, you should think about more natural ways to ease the discomfort, such as combining the properties of Lemons and Ironbark honey.

Lemons are an excellent source of Vitamin C. Lemons can be a little tart but it just so happens that there is a seasonal Honey to round off that citrus edge. When the Ironbark tree starts flowering in April, the bees get busy and start making Honey just in time for Winter. Squeeze a little Lemon juice into a cup of warm water and stir in a dollop of Ironbark honey. The result is a Lemon-honey combo that’s a deliciously warm soother for sore throats.

Spring Break

Spring is upon us! Birds are chirping. Bees are buzzing. The worst of winter is over. It’s time to relax and give your body a rest by combining some of nature’s tasty treats. This month we’re featuring Lemonade fruit (yes it does exist) and Oranges. High in essential nutrients and fibre, these fruits are a healthy way to satisfy your hunger.

The Lemonade fruit is an exotic delicacy. Even though they look like lemons, they won’t make you grimace when you bite into one. Thanks to naturally occurring sugars, they have a sweet, refreshing taste. Almost like lemonade. Try combining their sweet flavour with the sharp tang of Oranges. Oranges are full of Vitamin C. In fact, a decent sized Orange can contain your total recommended daily intake. So what are you waiting for? Dig in!

Rock Some Papaya

Spring is the season to be active. Take a walk. Go for a run, or perhaps a swim will do it. Above all else, make sure your body keeps up with the demands placed upon it by topping it up with some of Mother Nature’s healthy nutrients. Like those found in Rockmelons and Papayas.

Nothing beats the taste of a juicy Papaya. Orangey red in colour, they’re best eaten before fully ripe to maximise their Vitamin C and A content. In some countries, people will actually scoop out the Papaya seeds and squeeze lemon juice over the top as a snack. Another way to balance out the flavour of the Papaya is to add some Rockmelon into the mix. They compliment each other perfectly, especially in a nice big fruit salad.

Stone Fruit

The stone fruit season is never long enough. Peaches and Nectarines are just two of the reasons why. Peaches are a good source of Vitamins A and C. They can be enjoyed fresh over cereal or even with ice cream if you’re feeling decadent. Just be sure that when you select your Peach, it’s firm and full and springs back slightly when touched.

Nectarines look very similar to Peaches and are actually from the same species. You can tell them apart because Peaches have fuzz and nectarines don’t. Nectarines are an excellent source of Vitamin C and moderate in fibre. Tasty by themselves or together, you can poach them, grill them, bake them or stew them. Yum!

Berrylicious

All the colours of the berry rainbow are in season this month and they’re all very, very good for you…

Raspberries: High in fibre, Vitamin C and iron. Contain loads of antioxidants too.
Strawberries: Full of Vitamin C, contain iron and are a good source of folic acid. Also rich in antioxidants.
Blueberries: Full of Vitamin C, decent amounts of iron and fibre. Rich in antioxidants.
Blackberries: Excellent source of iron, Vitamin C, fibre and Vitamin E. Moderate amounts of magnesium and calcium (which is very rare in fruits)

Try sprinkling them over your cereal, blending them together in smoothies, pies, tarts, salads, mix them in with yoghurt or just eat them by themselves.