master-cooks | What Fruits Are In Season During Fall?

During the fall season, a variety of fruits reach their peak ripeness, offering a rich tapestry of flavors and nutrients. Apples are perhaps the quintessential fall fruit, with countless varieties providing a range of tastes from sweet to tart. They are perfect for baking, making cider, or enjoying fresh. Pears also come into season, offering a juicy and sweet option that pairs well with cheeses and nuts. Grapes, particularly in wine-growing regions, are harvested during this time, adding a burst of sweetness to the autumn fruit basket. Figs, with their unique texture and honey-like sweetness, are another fall favorite, ideal for both savory and sweet dishes. Cranberries begin to make their appearance, often used in sauces and desserts, bringing a tart complexity to seasonal recipes. Pomegranates, with their jewel-like seeds, offer a tangy and refreshing option that brightens up salads and desserts. Persimmons, with their honeyed flavor, are a delightful addition to fall menus, often enjoyed fresh or in baked goods. Quinces, though less common, provide a fragrant and tart addition to jams and jellies. These fruits not only bring a splash of color to the autumn landscape but also offer a bounty of health benefits.

Early fall staples

If you had to choose one fruit that stands out during the fall harvest season, it would undoubtedly be apples. With a wide range of varieties—many of which you may not even be familiar with—apples are typically ripe for picking from late summer through mid-fall. Numerous orchards across the northern United States and Canada offer opportunities for fresh apple picking, along with some seasonal ciders if that interests you. For the best selection, head to the state that produces the most apples in the country. Fortunately, with such a popular and accessible fruit, finding in-season apples shouldn't be a challenge.

However, if you're on the lookout for alternatives to apples, there's no need to fret; early fall brings a bounty of other fruits. Pears share a similar harvest timeline as apples, and plums are also available from late August until around October. Grapes have a comparable picking season, although they tend to be harvested earlier, with varieties like cotton candy grapes just making it into the fall months. Interestingly, figs reappear during this time as well, boasting a second harvest season that lasts into October. So, if you're in the market for fresh figs, you're in for a treat. Rest assured, you won't be lacking for fresh fruit options in the early days of autumn.

Mid-late fall brings some classics (and a few surprises)

If you believed that the early autumn months signaled the end of the fruit-growing season, think again. While this time of year does mark a symbolic conclusion to the harvests, there are still plenty of fruits available well into the fall. Cranberries, one of the fruits most closely linked to autumn, are in season through November—no wonder they are a Thanksgiving favorite. Similarly, pomegranates are also in season during this period, from mid to late fall. If you can manage to enjoy pomegranates without creating a mess, their juicy seeds offer a tartness that pairs beautifully with fall dishes, much like cranberries.

In much of North America, these fruits might signify the conclusion of the fruit season, but fall and the onset of winter merely transition us to more tropical varieties grown further south. Citrus fruits begin to emerge, such as kumquats, which are harvested from mid to late fall. Guava also reaches its peak season in late fall, while the zesty kiwi, an often-overlooked meat tenderizer, remains in season well into winter, depending on your location. Yes, the sweltering days of summer are behind you, but that doesn’t mean you can’t savor some of the most delicious and juicy fruits of the year.

What Fruits Are In Season During Fall?

Early fall staples

Mid-late fall brings some classics (and a few surprises)

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