What fruits in Australia
 

We were talking about fruit in Australia and wondering what is commercially grown and/or natural to Australia.

In Canada apples, pears, peaches, strawberries, grapes, cherries and various berries, canteloupe, plums (I know I've missed some) are grown and in many varieties.

Because of our colder climate we do not grow bananas, citrus fruit, kiwi and other tropical fruits.

What can I expect for breakfast or in the markets in Cairns, Sydney and Hobart?

PS to Alan. I am madly pursuing a copy of "Unreliable Memoirs" and hope to laugh all the way to Australia.

Michi, Australia covers many latitudes. Consider

Hobart = Boston
Melbourne = San Francisco
Perth = San Diego
Sydney = Atlanta
Brisbane = Miami
Cairns = Belize

Consequently, Australia is fortunate enough to grow its own temperate, mediterranean AND tropical fruits.

Just as I can get imported bananas and avocados at my supermarket in Calgary, so could I get non-local bananas and avocados at my supermarket in Melbourne.

I found the quality of fruit and vegetables in Australia to be good to excellent.

michi - I don't think there's any fruit or veg that wouldn't grow somewhere in Australia - Rusty's market in Cairns (Fri, Sat and Sun) has the largest assortment of tropical and locally grown fruit I've seen outside Asia. Mangoes,abiu, mangosteen (delicious), bananas (ladyfinger varieties are best), coconuts, lychees, rambutans, macadamia, avocado, papaya ( we call it pawpaw -red is better than yellow), strawberries, citrus, sweet pineapple, kiwi fruit, sapote, huge variety of "Asian" greens, starfruit, jackfruit, durian, herbs, taro, loads of varieties of potato, tomato - and much more, including the more recently commercially available "bush tucker" fruits. South Australia with it's Mediterranean climate grows the best grapes, stone-fruit,almonds, olives etc.

Michi, the short answer is "almost everything". Australia encompasses a wide range of climates including tropical, Mediterranean and cool- temperate, so everything from lychees and dragon fruit to apples & pears, stone fruit, citrus, berries are available - also a good range of fresh Asian herbs, spices and vegetables.

Some exotica may be found only in the larger cities, where there are large Chinese, Vietnamese, Middle Eastern etc. populations. Seasonal factors affect price and quality, but in general most things are available year-round. Very little produce needs to be imported.

The two big supermarket chains carry a wide range of fruit and veg. Because they dominate the market in most suburbs and towns they're generally overpriced compared to food markets, though. Check out Paddy's Markets adjoining Sydney's Chinatown (or Melbourne's excellent Victoria Markets) and you'll see what I mean. I remember Cairns as having a pretty good market but would have to ask a local about Hobart.

Unless you're looking to self-cater, I wouldn't care to forecast what you'll get for breakfast, though - too many variables.

Wow! I knew because of the varying climates in Australia you would probably have a wide range of fruit. I haven't heard of some mentioned.

Is durian that strange fruit with the terrible (to most) odour that was not permitted in our hotel in Malaysia? But do you grow apples, peaches and pears as well?

Can't wait to get there.

Yes, Michi - durian fruit is the smelly one that they won't allow in hotel rooms in Asia - in parts of Asia it's considered an aphrodisiac and I've seen a Japanese tourist pay $US50 for one in Bangkok. Aficiondos say it "tastes like heaven and smells like hell" - it's not a regular on the menu even here where it grows, but does have a certain enthusiastic following.

apples and pears are always available across the country - peaches are more seasonal and can be quite dreadful it they've been in storage fot too long. As mentioned before, South Australia grows the best, as well as apricots, plums, nectarines etc.

I see from Neil's answer that you do grow apples and pears. Makes our crops pale beside yours, but then we don't have anything near sub-tropical. We do have the frozen north!

Didn't recognize a lot of the fruit mentioned and will look them up, but what is mangosteen? And I'd like to know about durian.

Thanks.

Hi Michi - most of the fruits I mentioned which are available in Rusty's in Cairns are more tropical than sub-tropical. Mangosteens are available in summer, but a vast proportion of the crop is exported to Asia - they're the size of a large plum with a leathery reddish-brown skin. the fruit is white, in segments -look a bit like garlic cloves - very juicy with a sweet/tart flavour. B&B's in Cairns areas include these and previously mentioned fruits for breakfast. Passionfruit is another one that perplexes our visitors - you do eat the seeds!

Michi,

The juices of many tropical and subtropical fruits make very refreshing drinks. My favourites, in order of preference, are passion fruit, mango, pineapple and guava.

Thanks Judy - forgot guava and I have a huge tree in my front yard - makes fantastic jelly, also.

I can't let this topic go by without adding that the south west region of New South Wales has huge crops of stone fruit - pears, apples, cherries, peaches, apricots, nectarines etc.
Also in the colder areas lots of raspberries, blackberries etc.,