A beginner’s guide to eating seasonally

NAZLEY JORDAN

Eating food that is in-season and locally grown is generally fresher, tastier and more nutritious. It’s likely to be cheaper too!

Each country has its own seasonal calendar, which dictates when locally grown fruits and vegetables are ready for consumption. Seasonal produce is picked at its peak so it does not spend weeks or months in storage or on shelves. Making yourself aware of which ingredients are in season enables you to take advantage of the freshest and most flavorful produce available.

Buying in-season is also beneficial for local farmers because it enables them to sell their crops directly to consumers, cut out the middleman and keep more of the profits for themselves. Furthermore, the produce does not have to be packaged and transported long distances to reach consumers, which reduces the carbon footprint of your food choices.

What to look out for

In Bahrain, the growing season for many fruits and vegetables is from October to May, while the summer months tend to be too hot and dry for many crops. Look for markets that stock locally produced produce such as Budaiya Farmer’s Market, Hoorat Al Ali Farmer’s Market or the Central Market in Manama. You could also visit local Bahraini farms such as Tasneem Garden and Roots & Shoots to get an indication of what is in season. If you can, try to talk to the farmers that grow your produce and ask when they anticipate your favourite fruit and vegetables will be available to purchase.

Here are some of the ingredients that are in season in Bahrain at different times of the year:

October to December: During the winter months, some of the most popular seasonal produce in Bahrain include tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplants, lettuce, spinach, carrots, cauliflower, broccoli and strawberries.

January to March: As the temperatures begin to increase, you can find a variety of tropical local fruits such as mangoes, papayas and bananas. Other seasonal produce during this time include radishes, fava beans, peas and lemons.

April to May: Towards the end of the growing season, you can find a variety of melons, such as watermelon and cantaloupe, as well as figs and apricots. Tomatoes, cucumbers and eggplants are also still in season.

If you cannot find produce grown in Bahrain, opt for fruit and vegetables that are grown in the Middle East or Africa. The rule of thumb is: the closer you are to the country of origin, the better. A shorter distance between the farm and your plate means better produce because there is less time spent in storage and transportation, which helps to ensure that your food is as fresh as possible!