Nature’s Best: The FruitGuys Help Us Decipher What Fruit is in Season This Winter
Are Sweet Fruits Still Available in the Cold? Winter Might Just Be Nature’s Best Fruit Season
I’ve grown to believe that when temperatures drop and we see that first frost blanketing fields and orchards, harvest has ended. Thank goodness for people more knowledgeable than me, like The FruitGuys. They’re here to teach us that winter isn’t a season of scarcity at all. Instead, it has as much fruity flavor as summer, IF you know what you’re looking for.
We all know summer fruits rely on heat from the sun. But did you know that in order to reach their full complex fruity flavors, winter gems need the chill of the night? This is why we see a citrus-explosion in colder months and can find rare gems like finger limes, which also thrive in winter.
I had the opportunity to be “fruit-educated” thanks to The FruitGuys learning why "winter-forced" grocery store berries don’t hold a candle to seasonal citrus, the fascinating science of how frost acts as a natural flavor enhancer, and even rare varieties you should add to your kitchen this season.
What are the fruits you recommend that are at their absolute flavor peak during the coldest months of the year (Dec.–Feb.)?
There are several amazing fruits to eat during the winter months, but citrus fruits are ones that really blossom! We recommend oranges, grapefruit, mandarins, tangerines, tangelos, apples, pears and passion fruit. These are typically in-season from December to March.
It's obviously still possible to purchase berries and other "summer" fruits in grocery stores year-round. What is the biggest difference in flavor or texture between a "winter-forced" fruit and one that is naturally in season?
While you can still buy most out-of-season fruits in stores, the biggest difference will be the flavor and juiciness. In-season fruits will be rich with flavor, have a perfect texture, and explode with juiciness, creating a satisfying taste.
Finger limes are known as “citrus-caviar,” with bead-like vesicles offering a tart flavor.
Why does certain produce, like citrus or pomegranate, actually taste better after the first frost or during the winter months?
The scientific response would be that cold temperatures trigger plants to convert stored starches into sugars and slow down growth, which concentrates flavor and sweetness. Farmers often delay harvest until after a frost (when safe) because flavor improves dramatically. That’s why winter produce often tastes richer, juicier, and more complex than the same fruit harvested earlier. Winter isn’t just peak season; it's nature’s flavor enhancer.
I would love to hear your thoughts and ideas regarding fruits elevating not just desserts, but sides and snacks.
Fruits are a great way to explore different flavors and textures while staying healthy, and many can satisfy sugar cravings. Some delicious side recipes we love are the winter citrus salad and chickpea salad with grapefruit.
What about drinks? Do you have any recommendations for using winter staples in beverages?
There are several holiday drinks you can make using these winter staples. For example, old-fashioned apple cider, holiday wassail, pomegranate ginger mules, and many others.
Buddha’s hand, a citrus fruit, provides an aromatic zest, perfect on salads, in marinades or even baked goods.
What are some of the differences regionally regarding winter fruit? Are the best winter fruits for the Midwest also the best for California?
Yes, fruits come from all over the country, so this can vary by state depending on factors like weather. For example, a few of our favorite California-grown winter fruits finished up seasons early this year due to weather, including gem-like pomegranates, autumnal Fuyu persimmons, and finger limes. Conversely, the best apples in season this year came from Frecon Farms in Pennsylvania and Lehman’s Orchard in Michigan.
Do you recommend a specific winter fruit pairing or a variety that might surprise people?
When you cross a mandarin with a grapefruit, you get a tangelo. One of our favorites is the sweet-tart Minneola, which is nicknamed the “honeybell” for its bell shape. We’re also fans of tangelo descendants like the Lee mandarin—a Clementine mandarin and Orlando tangelo cross.
Last but not least, we have to mention versatile California mandarinquats and kumquats. These are like Mother Nature’s sour candy. They have sweet skin and tart flesh, and you can eat them whole, just like grapes!
As mentioned, a few of our favorite California-grown winter fruits finished up seasons early this year due to weather, including gem-like pomegranates, autumnal Fuyu persimmons from Brandt Farms, and crack-and-eat finger limes from Shanley Farms. If you miss those fruits, try one of these unique and tropical treats from California instead: passion fruits, feijoas, pink lemons, or Buddha’s hands (best zested).
Then, keep a lookout for more fun items as the season progresses. We’re excited for California mangoes, guavas, and rambutans in the new year, along with strawberries from Oxnard that are already trickling in.
What should we look for as the season progresses?
If you miss the early pomegranates or persimmons, try unique tropical treats from California instead: passion fruits, feijoas, pink lemons, or Buddha’s hands (best zested). Keep a lookout for California mangoes, guavas, and rambutans in the new year, along with strawberries from Oxnard. Finally, avocado fans take note: We’ll have Bacon avocados available from December through March, and Fuertes close behind in February and March.
The Heart of the Season: A Legacy of Pie
While that first frost gives us plenty of flavorful reasons to celebrate the harvest, our connection to seasonal food often goes deeper than flavor profiles. It’s about the traditions we build. When I asked what one fruit they would choose to eat all winter, the answer didn’t come from a farm map—it came from a kitchen in 1995.
“Let’s take a step away from fruit for this one–As a kid, I loved getting up early with my mom as she put the turkey in the oven. I sat with her in the kitchen in my pajamas as she prepared my favorite sides: mashed potatoes and sausage stuffing.
I was so excited as we waited for my aunt, uncle, and cousins from northern Virginia to arrive. My aunt Carol always brought the most exceptional pies. To this day, she makes all of her crusts by hand. She learned from the master: My grandmother, Gloria Mittelstaedt.
Pecan, apple, and pumpkin pies were Carol’s specialities. Pecan has always been a big favorite because of our family’s southern heritage: Both of my parents, and their parents, grew up in New Orleans. My mom even had a pecan tree in her backyard when she was a little girl. After she grew up and moved out, my grandfather sent her shelled pecans as a special treat.
Thanksgiving 1995 was a record pie year. Carol and her husband Doug made 2 pecan pies, 1 pumpkin, 2 apple, 1 cherry, and 2 lemon meringue. I remember Doug whipping the meringue (egg whites with sugar) by hand in the kitchen — his forearm strength was impressive! In the end, there were 8 pies to share among 14 people. That’s .57 pies per person, which was a pretty good ratio for our family of pie lovers.”
Whether it’s the zing of a "sour candy" kumquat or a slice of a perfect handmade apple pie, winter fruit reminds us that even in the coldest months, there is a deep warmth to be found—both in the orchard and in the home.
❄️ At a Glance: The Winter Fruit Cheat Sheet
| Category | Varieties to Look For | Why They’re Special |
|---|---|---|
| The Icons | Oranges, Grapefruit, Pears | Hit peak juiciness after the first frost. |
| "Nature's Candy" | Kumquats, Mandarinquats | Eat them whole! Sweet skin with tart flesh. |
| Exotic & Rare | Buddha’s Hand, Finger Limes | Incredible for zesting and craft cocktails. |
| The Savory | Bacon & Fuerte Avocados | Creamy texture available Dec–March. |
About the Expert
Fresh Fruit for Home or Office
The FruitGuys offers fruit boxes in a variety of sizes featuring seasonal goodness based on the delivery address. In addition to fruits, boxes can contain vegetables and snacks - they’re perfect for the home, to share with employees or co-workers, or to send to your favorite college student studying hard for finals.
The FruitGuys have been pioneers in the sustainable food movement since 1998. Through their GoodWorks Program, they donate a minimum of 20% of their annual profits to relieve hunger and support small-farm sustainability. From providing healthy food to local relief partners to funding environmental grants through The FruitGuys Community Fund, they are committed to connecting people, nourishing communities, and regenerating the planet.
To learn more, visit FruitGuys.com.
