Our ancestors had no choice but to be seasonal eaters. From their fruit and vegetables to their meat and fish, they were limited to what they could grow and rear from season to season. To carry them through the months when food was scarce, they became adept at pickling, salting, drying and preserving everything they could.
Nowadays in Britain, most of us have fridges and freezers so we can easily preserve our own food, and we can pop into the supermarket and buy our favourite fruit, vegetables, meat and fish all year round.
So what is all the fuss about seasonal eating and why should we bother with it?
Because when food is naturally in season it is cheaper, fresher and, ultimately, it tastes better! If you’ve ever tasted a tomato picked fresh from its vine and slightly warm from the sun, or the sweet crunch of a home-grown carrot, then you’ll know exactly what I mean. If you haven’t, you don’t know what you’re missing!
In the UK, we grow sublime seasonal treats, asparagus, apples and berries to name but a few. But if you want to enjoy these foods at their very best (and cheapest) then you’ll need to equip yourself with a bit of seasonal food knowledge. A seasonal food chart, such as this one, is an excellent reference point and a great place to start on your seasonal food adventures.
All photography © Heather Elizabeth Wilkinson 2014
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