After a gloriously sunny bank holiday weekend, our shelves are brimming with sweet and tempting late summer produce.
A real highlight this week are the Irwin mangoes, sometimes called “bonbon” mangoes. Ours come from the Málaga region and have been harvested ready to eat, full of the sweet sunshine they’ve grown in all summer. Their skin is even edible. Smaller than the more common Osteen variety, Irwins will only be available for around two weeks, and not continuously, so we recommend picking one up while you can.
Another treat from across the Channel is our favourite black grape, Muscat de Hambourg. A staff favourite, this variety is a cross between the white Muscat d’Alexandrie and the black Frankenthal. The grapes grow in generous dark-purple clusters with a soft, glaucous bloom (the natural powdery coating on the skin), and have white-fleshed berries that are wonderfully sweet and juicy. Definitely try one while you are with us in the shop.
We also have French ‘Bourjasotte’ figs. Look out for a little drop of syrupy nectar at the base, a sure sign the fig is perfectly ripe. With deep purple skin and jammy red flesh, they are delicious eaten as is or chopped into a salad.
