When ripe, mangoes give slightly when pressed gently. Photo: Prasanth M J, CC BY-SA 2.0
Twice a week, RNZ's First Up heads to the country's produce markets with our guide, "Minister of Fruit and Veggies", Glenn Forsyth.
Industry organisation United Fresh have released their Fresh Facts 2024 booklet and among the fascinating snippets to emerge is that last year New Zealand spent $1 billion on potatoes - mostly on chips and frozen fries, he says.
Also noteworthy was the export of cherries to Taiwan, Royal Gala's dominance in the apple sector, and the decline of avocados, "taking a massive hit downwards in export values".
Fresh fruit and vegetable exports are projected to hit $4.3 billion in 2024 - an 8 percent increase on last year, the report says.
Best buys: veggies
New Zealand vegetables have been on a "constant special" for several months, Forsyth says.
This week, the best green buys are courgettes, asparagus, silverbeet, Iceberg lettuce, cauliflower and broccoli - "a whole range of stuff there", Forsyth says.
Volumes of tomatoes, Lebanese cucumbers and eggplant are steadily growing, too.
Kiwis might like to spruce up their salads with a sprinkling of new season garden peas and diced purple asparagus.
"Purple is really nice raw - sweeter - but it still tastes like a cross between peas and asparagus, and large spears don't go woody."
Best buys: fruit
There has been a late burst of gold-fleshed kiwifruit from Zespri, which are affordable here, Forsyth says.
US grapes are in high demand as they come to the end of their season, and the Californian citrus season is beginning to ramp up - although NZ and Australian navel oranges and mandarins are still available.
Australian rock melon and watermelon have appeared in shops, and New Zealand strawberries, blueberries and Hare at their best right now.
Early-season stone fruit are emerging from Bay View in Hawke's Bay, including cherries ($40/kg), apricots, yellow- and white-flesh nectarines ($12/kg).
"It is called summer fruit for a reason - the best of it starts in ... from early December, so hang in tight: we're coming."
Fruit of the week
Forsyth declares Australia R2E2 mangoes - "the king of fruit" - his fruit of the week.
"A bit messy to eat, but wow, are they worth it! Nothing like being on the Sunshine Coast during mango season.
"Look for fruit with that lovely aroma, and smooth skin. Avoid very soft or bruised fruit."
When ripe, mangoes give slightly when pressed gently and can be kept for a few days in the crisper section of your fridge.
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