Spring has truly arrived, and what a brilliant month April is for seasonal produce! After the long winter months, we're seeing an explosion of fresh flavours from across the British Isles and beyond. Our buyers have been up with the larks to bring you the very best.
British Spring Stars
April marks the official start of British asparagus season, and honestly, it’s been worth the wait. There’s a real buzz at the market seeing the first deliveries of fresh produce each morning.
Seasonal Vegetables
Our British selection is looking particularly strong this month:
- British Asparagus – The wait is over! Those first tender spears have arrived and they’re absolutely magnificent
- Purple Sprouting Broccoli – Catch the tail end of this seasonal star
- Spring Greens – Tender and sweet, perfect for quick blanching
- Jersey Royal New Potatoes – The jewels of April have landed! Available in Ware, Mids and sizes to suit every dish. See here our full potato wholesale range here
British Salad & Fruit
We’re thrilled to be working with some brilliant British growers:
- Watercress from Chalke Valley – Peppery and vibrant
- Baby Leaves from Cherry Tree Farm – Tender and full of flavour
- Edible Flowers (Viola) from Cherry Tree Farm – Beautiful colour for your plates
- Isle of Wight Heritage Tomatoes – First of the season and worth every penny
- Caffarelli Cucumbers – Sweet and crisp, grown right here in the UK
- Bramley and Braeburn apples – Still holding strong
- Forced Rhubarb – Last chance to get those vibrant pink stems
Foraged Treasures (Pre-Order)
The woodlands and hedgerows are flourishing, and our foragers are bringing in some absolute treasures:
- Wild Garlic Leaves – At their absolute peak right now
- Sea Purslane – Maritime flavour in every bite
- Sea Beet – Nature’s spinach with robust texture
- Alexander’s – Versatile spring herb
- Douglas Fir – Aromatic tips for infusions
- Scott’s Pine – Distinctive pine flavour
Direct from Milan
The Mediterranean spring brings fabulous produce:
Vegetables:
- White Asparagus – The continental classic
- Monks Beard (Barba di Frate) – Delicate Italian speciality
- Nettles – Mineral-rich spring greens
- Broad Beans – Sweet and tender
- Borlotti Beans – Fresh Italian classics
Fruit:
- Leafy Lemons – Beautiful with stems and leaves attached
- Cantaloupe and Honeymoon Melons – Fragrant and sweet
- Blood Oranges – Last chance before the season ends
- Decana Wax Tip Pears – Juicy and aromatic
Salad:
- Castelfranco and Grumolo – Italian chicory specialities
- Winter Tomatoes (Merinda, Camone, Black Sun) – Full of Mediterranean sunshine
- Radicchio varieties – Tardivo, Treviso, Pink and classic
- Wild Rocket – Peppery intensity that can’t be beat
European Excellence
Some exceptional items from our European neighbours:
- Gariguette Strawberries – The French classic
- Loquats – Brief season, worth catching
- Beekers Specialty Berries – Unique Pineberries and Strasberry varieties
- Courgette Flowers – Perfect for stuffing
- Morels – The king of spring mushrooms
- St Georges Mushrooms – Named for their arrival around St George’s Day
- Mousseron – Delicate spring fungi
- Summer Black Truffles – Early season treasures
Star Ingredients of the Month
British Asparagus: The undisputed king of spring vegetables has arrived. After months of waiting, these tender spears are finally here. Sweet, grassy and utterly perfect, they need minimal cooking – just a quick blanch and a knob of butter. The season is short, so make the most of it while you can.
Jersey Royal Potatoes: These unique potatoes, grown on the steep slopes of Jersey in seaweed-enriched soil, have a distinctive nutty flavour that’s impossible to replicate. Available in various sizes from tiny Mids to larger Ware, they’re best simply steamed with mint and butter to showcase their exceptional quality.
Wild Garlic: At its absolute peak right now, wild garlic brings a gentle allium flavour that transforms everything it touches. Perfect for pestos, butters, soups and so much more. The season is fleeting, so grab it while you can.
Isle of Wight Heritage Tomatoes: The first British tomatoes of the season have arrived from the Isle of Wight’s speciality growers. These heritage varieties offer exceptional flavour that puts imported options in the shade. Treat them simply – a sprinkle of sea salt and your best olive oil is all they need.
St Georges Mushrooms: Named for their appearance around St George’s Day, these distinctive fungi have a wonderful mealy aroma and firm texture. Fantastic simply fried in butter, they’re a rare seasonal treat that mushroom aficionados wait all year for.
We’re always on hand to chat about what’s coming into season next. Get in touch with us anytime!
Heritage British Fruit
Our fruit selection maintains high quality with stored orchard fruits and beautiful forced rhubarb:
- Bramley, Cox, Royal Gala, and Braeburn apples – each with their distinct character and culinary uses
- Conference pears maintaining good texture and sweetness
- Forced Rhubarb – that beautiful pink British treasure that we can’t seem to get enough of
Premium Potato Selection from Morghew Farm
Morghew Farm continues to supply exceptional potatoes:
- Pink Fir – distinctive nutty flavour, ideal for salads
- Ratte – the chef’s choice for velvety mash
- Yukon Gold – versatile all-rounders
- Russet Burbank – still the kings of roasting
Foraged Specialties (Pre-Order)
March brings the star of the foraging calendar – wild garlic! Our foragers are now finding these prized leaves in woodland areas. An exciting indicator that spring is truly on its way.
Our complete foraging selection includes:
- Wild Garlic Leaves – the star of the show this month
- Sea Purslane and Sea Beet – coastal treasures
- Scurvy Grass – traditional spring tonic
- Alexander’s and Alexander Buds – ancient herb with celery notes
- Three Cornered Garlic/Wild Leeks – delicate wild allium
- Douglas Fir and Scott’s Pine – aromatic evergreens
Direct from Milan
Early spring in Italy brings some exceptional produce:
Vegetables:
- Green & White Asparagus – the first of the season
- Artichoke (Tema & Mamola) – perfect for spring menus
- Monks Beard (Barba di Frate) – a true Italian delicacy
- Broad Beans – tender and sweet
- Fresh Red Tropea onions – consistently excellent relatives
Fruit:
- Bergamot – aromatic and perfect for desserts
- Cedro – fragrant citrus
- Blood Oranges – continuing their excellent season
- Golden Kiwi – sweeter than their green cousins
- Leafy Kumquats and Lemons – beautiful for display and flavour
Salad:
- Castelfranco and Grumolo – Italian winter chicories at their peak
- Winter Tomatoes (Merinda, Camone) – full of Mediterranean sunshine
- Tardivo and Treviso – stunning Italian radicchio
- Rocket Wild Bunched – peppery and full of character
European Seasonal Highlights
From elsewhere in Europe:
- Baby Globe Artichokes – tender and versatile
- Gariguette Strawberries – the first strawberries of the season
- Courgette Flowers – delicate and perfect for stuffing
- Cevennes & Roscoff Onions – French classics
- Colourful selection of speciality carrots – Purple, Yellow, White, Red & Sand
World Specialties
From further afield:
- Buddha’s Hand – the fragrant citrus that turns heads
- Pink Guava – tropical and aromatic
- Honey Glow Pineapple – exceptionally sweet
- Queen Banana – premium variety with superior flavour
- Kiwi Berries – bite-sized kiwi relatives
