If there’s one scent that defines a New South Wales summer, it’s the sweet, floral aroma of a perfectly ripe peach. At Nowra Farmers Market, we are famous for our Nowra Fresh quality. Because we work so closely with our growers, our stone fruit often travels from the orchard to our shelves within 24 hours, ensuring you get that “just-picked” crunch and sweetness every time.
The window for stone fruit is short but spectacular. Here is what you can expect to find in-store this holiday period:
The Heavy Hitters: Peaches and Nectarines
Whether you prefer the delicate, floral sweetness of White Peaches or the classic, tangy “zing” of a Yellow Nectarine, we have them in abundance. For the perfect Christmas salad, try slicing nectarines and tossing them with fresh mint and a splash of lime juice.
The Christmas Essential: Cherries
It wouldn’t be an Australian Christmas without a bowl of cherries on the table. We source the plumpest, darkest, and crunchiest cherries available. They aren’t just for snacking, either—try pitting them and adding them to a festive Pavlova or a rich chocolate tart for a Nowra Fresh twist on dessert.
The Hidden Gems: Plums and Apricots
Plums: Keep an eye out for our “Candy” plums and deep red Blood Plums. They offer a sophisticated tartness that pairs beautifully with roast pork or turkey.
Apricots: These have one of the shortest seasons of all. Grab them while you see them! They are incredible when baked into tarts or served alongside a sharp cheddar from our cheese range.
How to Pick and Prep
When shopping at Nowra Farmers Market, look for fruit that has a “heavy” feel for its size—this usually means it’s full of juice. Avoid fruit with green tinges near the stem. If your fruit is a little firm, keep it in a paper bag on the kitchen bench for 24 hours to ripen. Once it’s perfect, move it to the crisper drawer of your fridge to stop it from over-ripening in the Shoalhaven heat.
