May has arrived in all its glory, bringing with it the most vibrant and diverse selection of produce we’ve seen all year!
The markets are positively humming with activity as British growers deliver their finest offerings. Our team has been up at the crack of dawn to secure the very best for your kitchens… keep reading to learn more!
British Seasonal Stars
The British growing season is truly hitting its stride now, with an impressive array of locally grown treasures arriving daily at our New Covent Garden base.
Seasonal Vegetables
The British selection is looking particularly impressive this month:
- Thorogoods Asparagus – fresh British asparagus at its absolute peak of flavour and tenderness
- Baby Vegetables from Remfresh – stunning Carrots, Fennel, Turnips, Leeks, plus Red, Golden & Candy Beetroot, perfect for your fine dining presentations
- Spring Greens and Hispi Cabbage – sweet and versatile
- Jersey Royal New Potatoes – the jewel in Britain’s crown, available in both Ware and Mids sizes
- Specialist potatoes from Morghew Farm – Pink Fir, Ratte, stunning blue-fleshed Salad Blue, Yukon Gold & Russet Burbank
- Cherry Tree Farm Wild Garlic Leaves – catch the last of this seasonal treasure
British Salad & Fruit
Our partnerships with specialist British growers are yielding exceptional quality:
- Chalke Valley Watercress – mineral-rich and peppery
- Betts Baby Kale – tender and full of flavour
- Cherry Tree Farm specialities – Red Mustard Frills, Mizuna, and stunning Viola Edible Flowers
- Isle of Wight Tomatoes in peak season – Cherry Vine, Golden Baby Plum, Vine, Green Tiger, Mixed Premium Heirloom, Ox Heart, San Marzano, and Mixed Cherry Vine varieties
- Caffarelli Cucumbers – crisp and sweet
- Betts Whole-head Lettuce – Little Gem, Lollo Blonde, Lollo Rossa, and Oakleaf
- Wye Valley Forced Rhubarb – last chance to enjoy this seasonal delight
Foraged Treasures
The hedgerows continue to offer their seasonal bounty:
- Sea Purslane and Sea Beet – coastal delicacies with natural salinity
- Alexander’s – versatile spring herb
- Douglas Fir and Scott’s Pine – aromatic tips for infusions and garnishes
Mediterranean Delights
Our direct Italian sourcing continues to deliver exceptional produce:
Vegetables:
- White Verona Asparagus – prized for its delicate flavour
- Tema Artichokes – the pride of Italy
- Fresh Beans in abundance – Flat, Yellow, Borlotti and Broad varieties
- Roman and Trombetta Courgettes – distinctive shapes and superior flavour
- Monks Beard (Barba di Frate) – the Italian delicacy at its seasonal best
- Wet Garlic – young, juicy and milder than mature bulbs
Fruit:
- Amalfi Coast Leafy Lemons – aromatic and beautiful
- Outstanding melons – Cantaloupe, Honeymoon and Golden Watermelon varieties
- Italian stone fruit starting to appear
Salad:
- Castelfranco – the beautiful speckled Italian chicory
- Vesuvio Tomatoes – grown in volcanic soil for exceptional flavour
- Treviso and Radicchio – bitter leaves that balance rich dishes perfectly
- Wild Rocket – intensely peppery and wonderful
European Specialities
May brings some truly special items from across Europe:
- First European stone fruits – Apricots, Cherries, Nectarines and Peaches
- Wild Asparagus – foraged from European woodlands
- Baby and Globe Artichokes – tender and versatile
- Gariguette Strawberries – the French classic
- Loquats – brief season, worth catching
- Morels, Mousseron, St Georges and Summer Black Truffles – a mushroom lover’s dream
Star Ingredients of the Month
- Thorogoods British Asparagus: The king of spring vegetables is at its absolute prime right now. Grown by the Thorogood family, whose expertise in asparagus cultivation spans generations, these spears offer unparalleled sweetness and tenderness. Simply steamed and served with good butter, they represent the very essence of British springtime.
- Isle of Wight Heritage Tomatoes: The tomato selection from the Isle of Wight has exploded this month, with varieties to suit every culinary need. From the intensely sweet Mixed Cherry Vine to the meaty Ox Heart and the versatile Green Tiger, these tomatoes deliver what imported varieties simply cannot – proper tomato flavour. Browse our fresh produce wholesale collection for the complete range.
- Jersey Royal New Potatoes: May is the prime month for these distinctive potatoes, grown on the steep slopes of Jersey in seaweed-enriched soil. Their unmistakable nutty flavour and firm texture make them a seasonal highlight that chefs across London eagerly anticipate. Available in various sizes to suit different applications.
- St Georges Mushrooms: Named for their appearance around St George’s Day, these distinctive fungi continue into May with their wonderful mealy aroma and firm texture. Fantastic simply fried in butter with herbs, they’re a rare seasonal treasure that mushroom enthusiasts wait all year for.
- First Stone Fruits: The earliest European Cherries, Apricots, Nectarines and Peaches have begun to arrive – harbingers of the summer bounty to come. While they’ll improve as the season progresses, these first arrivals offer a welcome change after months of stored fruits.
Our commitment to quality means we’re constantly evaluating and selecting the very best seasonal produce for London’s finest kitchens. When you need exceptional ingredients delivered directly to your door, our fresh produce wholesale service provides the perfect solution for busy professional kitchens.
Interested?
Need advice on what’s coming next or how to make the most of the season’s bounty? Our team is always happy to help – just give us a call!
