Hot sunny weather has arrived. And that means summer fruits are back in season!
Sun-kissed berries, juicy melons, and plump stone fruits are all at their peak.
Fantastic Summer Fruits
Summer offers the best seasonal fruits. Cherries, strawberries, blueberries, the list goes on and on.
But to keep it short and sweet, I listed the 10 most recognized summer fruits.
From barbecues to picnics, these fruits complete your summer eating.
So let’s explore the best fruits for all your summer activities.
1. Cherries
Nothing screams summer like fresh cherries!
Summer is when cherries are at their peak. Unfortunately, the season does not last long.
So be sure to get your fix in with some fresh cherry recipes.
Sweet or sour, all the cherry varieties have something tasty to offer.
They are a fun addition to fruit salads and a yummy seasonal ice cream flavor. I adore them in a cobbler and love them in salsa.
I could even devour a bag all by their lonesome.
Roadside stands and farmers’ markets offer the best quality. Some even have unique varieties.
2. Tomatoes
Cherry, heirloom, or beefsteak, all tomatoes are good if you ask me. The best, however, comes fresh from the garden.
They are far juicer and more flavorful than the tomatoes at the grocery store.
The next best thing is getting them in season. So if you’re a tomato lover, now is the time to make all things tomato!
Big juicy heirlooms make the best caprese. Grape tomatoes are perfect for just about any salad.
Fried green tomatoes are also a classic Southern summer favorite.
And I know there is one tomato appetizer that everyone loves. Fresh homemade salsa with tortilla chips!
3. Grapes
Grapes are a road trip favorite in my family. They’re healthier than chips and just as poppable.
Plus, you get a burst of sweet juice in every bite.
Seedless green and red grapes get all the hype. But I love those teeny-tiny champagne grapes called Corinth. They are so fun to eat!
Concord grapes are also great. From jams to granita, they have a wide range of uses.
For a healthy treat, pop some grapes in the freezer. They’re great for snacking. You can also use them like ice cubes in a cocktail.
Just be sure not to swallow the seeds!
4. Watermelon
No barbecue is complete without them. Picnics would feel like something is missing. And hanging out poolside just would not be the same.
What am I talking about? Watermelon!
Watermelon is hands down one of the most refreshing summer fruits. It is also the most iconic.
The flesh is so juicy and packed with electrolytes. It’s like mother nature’s way of keeping us hydrated on the hottest days.
Just grab a slice, and you’ll instantly feel refreshed.
Don’t stop there, though!
Watermelon is fantastic for desserts, cocktails, juices, and appetizers.
5. Peaches
Biting into a juicy peach is one of the simplest pleasures in life. Especially when you pick them fresh from the farm.
Georgia takes claim to fame for growing the best of the best. Though my favorite varieties come from Washington. (I dream about Sweet Dream peaches)
But when you can, buy local.
Like apricots and plums, peaches are a member of the stone fruit family. This is another way of saying they’ve got a big pit inside.
So you can use them like other stone fruits too. Cobblers, crisps, salsas, and salads- peaches are tasty in many things.
The softer peaches are prime pickings for instant eating. Firmer peaches are better for grilling.
Say, you know what sounds good? Grilled peaches with vanilla bean ice cream! Drizzle them with honey, and you are in flavor heaven.
6. Blueberries
Blueberries need no introduction. Next to watermelon, they’re one of the most iconic summer fruits.
They’re also the star of Fourth of July desserts.
Packed with antioxidants, they’re a superfood that’s so good for your body.
Highbush, Lowbush, and Rabbiteye are some common types. But blueberries come in over 100 varieties!
Some are sweeter, and others more dry. One thing is for sure- they are ripe for the picking in summer.
7. Strawberries
Strawberry picking is a fun summer activity for the whole family.
But not everyone is fortunate enough to have a nearby U-pick farm. In that case, swing by the natural food stores or farmers’ markets.
You can tell the difference between mass-produced and locally-grown berries. Trust me, I love strawberries!
I could polish off an entire pint and not think twice. Store strawberries in the refrigerator unwashed- if they even make it to the kitchen.
They’re also best used within a few days.
With this strawberry shortcake beckoning- I doubt they’ll last that long.
8. Cantaloupe
I think we can all agree that out-of-season cantaloupe is mediocre. In season cantaloupe is an entirely different fruit.
The flesh is oh-so-juicy and sweet.
You can tell a cantaloupe is ripe by inspecting the rind. The fruit should be beige and firm but not rock-hard.
When in doubt, do the smell test. If it smells sweet and floral, it is ready.
Like watermelon, cantaloupe has a very high water content — about 90 percent. But it’s not only hydrating! Cantaloupe is also full of vitamins.
So branch out with your melon and try some exciting cantaloupe recipes.
Agua fresca, melon mosaic salad, and cantaloupe strawberry popsicles are just the start!
9. Nectarines
Nectarines are like the non-fuzzy sibling of peaches.
Both are stone fruits in the Rosaceae family. And both are ripe in summer.
July to September is when they are at their peak.
Their flesh is more dense than a peach. But when they’re ripe, they’re just as juicy.
Speaking of ripe, you can ripen nectarines with a paper bag. This nifty trick traps ethylene gas to make them ripen faster.
If you need to store them longer, keep them in the fridge. Cold nectarines are a refreshing snack.
I also love using them in a panzanella. Although, they’re also fabulous for desserts.
10. Raspberries
You can find raspberries year-round. But those sun-kissed summer raspberries are something else!
Their sweet and tart flavors are popping in the summer. And they are so big!
Like many other berries, raspberries are versatile.
Use them in smoothies, cocktails, or desserts. They’re also a great addition to yogurt and at home in a fruit salad.
Black raspberries are especially intriguing. They’re extra sweet and packed with antioxidants.
If you can, I highly recommend foraging for raspberries. Wild-picked berries are the best!
10 Best Summer Fruits To Try This Season
The best part of summer is the abundance of fruit! And these summer fruits are some of my favorites. Try them this season while they’re at peak freshness.
Ingredients
Cherries
Tomatoes
Grapes
Watermelon
Peaches
Blueberries
Strawberries
Cantaloupe
Nectarines
Raspberries
Instructions
- Select your favorite summer fruit.
- Or try a new one today!
