We are approaching the height of the summer months in the UK and produce is at its most abundant. Amongst the masses of strawberries, raspberries and blueberries that we all know and love are other British varieties vying for the limelight that are often overlooked, so here are some of our favourites that are in season right now:
Bilberries are a very small, deep purple berry, juicier than a blueberry and sharper than a blackcurrant, bilberry jam was given to pilots in the second world war as they were believed to improve night vision!
Meanwhile, gooseberries are having something of a revival, but are still not regularly found in supermarkets. There are two types of gooseberry – the red fruit, which is sweet and ready to eat, and the green variety, which is much more sour and best for jams and pickles.
Related to the gooseberry, the redcurrant is very small, tart, yet with a certain sweetness, and can make a refreshing alternative to the more well-known berries in any summer dessert. You may be familiar with the overly sweet redcurrant jelly sometimes served with game but why not try making your own; it will taste a million miles better.
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What's in season: July