Fruit in autumn? Which varieties are in season now

In autumn there is no longer the fruity variety that we are treated to in the summer months. Nevertheless, autumn also has a lot to offer. You can find out here which types of fruit are now being harvested locally.

What fruits are there in autumn?

1. Apples

Some apple varieties are already available in summer, but the apple harvest doesn't really get going until autumn. In our latitudes, apples are true fruit classics, so I don't have to say too many words about the taste of this fruit, right? 😋

We also know that apples are healthy. But why exactly? Vitamins? Yes, but there are a lot of other health benefits in the round fruit. For example, apples contain many valuable vitamins and secondary plant substances that protect the body's cells from disease-causing free radicals.

The fruit can also help with digestive problems or an irritated stomach: Apples contain fiber, including pectins, which have a balancing effect and promote healthy digestion.

Apples can not only be enjoyed “classically”, i.e. raw as a snack, but can also be wonderfully incorporated into a wide range of dishes. My absolute favorite, perfect in the colder months, is a nice, warm apple crumble (with vanilla ice cream 🤤).

2. Blackberries

Attention berry fans! While most types of berries are harvested in the middle of the year, we still have a small, powerful berry until October: the blackberry. Despite its health benefits, hardly anyone would name blackberries as their favorite berry, right? 🤔Maybe that's because of their sweet-sour taste and forest aroma, which don't suit everyone's taste. Nevertheless, in my opinion, blackberries are significantly underestimated...

Similar to apples, blackberries also contain vitamins and fiber. The vitamins E and A as well as the high proportion of antioxidants contained in the berries are considered “natural anti-aging agents” that counteract premature signs of aging. The flavonoids (secondary plant compounds that have antioxidant properties) protect cells and help balance high blood pressure. This means they can also protect against cardiovascular diseases. The calcium it contains strengthens the bones and the potassium has a gentle draining effect.

Isn't it always amazing how many valuable ingredients are contained in such small, inconspicuous gifts from nature? :)

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3. Quinces

A friend of my mother's has some quince trees and leaves a significant amount of quinces to my mother each fall. My mother then uses these to make quince jelly or jam, and the whole house smells wonderfully sweet of the fruit. For me, quinces are the ultimate autumn fruit.

The harvest time for this fruit is short and takes place between September and the beginning of November - exactly in the autumn months. For many people, the quince is still unknown. Visually, its shape resembles a mixture of apple and pear. Their bright yellow color, on the other hand, is more reminiscent of a citrus fruit, and the taste also has an intensely fruity and sweet, but also lemony aroma.

Quinces are rarely found in the supermarket, so you should look for them at the weekly market or a Turkish supermarket (or from a friend or neighbor who has a tree in their garden).

Quince also contains pectin, which soothes an irritated intestine and can help with digestive problems. In addition, the pulp of the quince contains tannins that have an antibacterial effect and thus protect against harmful bacteria.

Before processing, the fine fluff on the fruit peel should be rubbed off with a cloth, as the essential oils contained there can have a negative effect on the taste. After washing, the pulp can be separated from the core. However, the seeds should not be thrown away! Dried seeds can be sucked like candy if you have a cough or sore throat. The mucilage (disgusting word, right? :D) has a healing effect and soothes the throat and throat. However, it is better not to bite or chew the seeds because of the very bitter taste...

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4. Grapes

Last but not least on this little list: grapes. Everyone knows them, almost everyone likes them. Grapes are among the oldest types of fruit. In this country they are available between August and November and are a popular snack. While slightly unripe grapes still taste sour, very ripe grapes are sugary sweet. This sweetness and its bite-sized size make the fruit very popular with children.

Admittedly, there are other types of fruit that can score points with more vitamins or less sugar. But that doesn't make the grape unhealthy or unimportant: According to a study, our memory can be significantly improved by the plant substance resveratrol contained in grapes. By the way, this substance also has positive effects on the blood circulation in our body.

Other important ingredients in grapes are oligomeric procyanidins (OPC), which have significant health benefits. Among other things, they help with joint pain, lower cholesterol levels and slow down the aging processes of cells.

By the way, a large part of these beneficial ingredients are found in the skin and seeds of grapes. So if you want to benefit from everything the grape has to offer, you should opt for the traditional version with a seed more often. :)

If you would like to learn more about healthy eating, mindfulness or sustainability, check out more exciting blog articles on these topics here .

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