A Different Type of Calendar: 12 Months of Caribbean Fruits

To begin this new year, we thought we’d provide you with a different type of calendar. We present 12 months of fruits. We've listed the fruits that are in season each month of the year. More than that, these are fruits you can juice or use to make delicious smoothies. Check out our Yello Juice Bar series to make the most of each month's offerings.

Staying healthy has never been this easy. 

JANUARY

• Banana
• Coconut
• Golden apple/Pommecythere/June plum
• Grapefruit
• Guava
• Mandarin/Tangerine/Portugal
• Orange
• Papaya
• Pineapple
• Sugar cane
• Tamarind

January highlight

New Year, new diet

Why not make a decision to add more fruit to your diet? January is a good month to start. Did you know studies have shown that an increased intake of fruit has reduced the medical signs of some diseases? So, to help you get started, we have a suggestion. Bananas with a glass of grapefruit or orange juice are always nice additions to a breakfast menu. Alternatively, bananas, papaya, and pineapple with a dollop of yoghurt make a satisfying breakfast smoothie.

FEBRUARY 

• Banana
• Cantaloupe
• Coconut
• Grapefruit
• Honeydew melon
• Mandarin/Tangerine/Portugal
• Orange
• Papaya
• Pineapple
• Soursop
• Sugar cane
• Watermelon

MARCH 

• Banana
• Cantaloupe
• Coconut
• Grapefruit
• Honeydew melon
• Mandarin/Tangerine/Portugal
• Orange
• Papaya
• Pineapple
• Soursop
• Sugar cane
• Watermelon
  
  

March highlight

Why fruit?

Fruits are a great source of fibre, minerals, and vitamins and are essential for a healthy mind and body. With so many fruits to choose from, you can get creative as you maintain the recommended daily intake of 1 ½ to 2 cups. Whether you slice it, dice it, crush it, juice it, or add a bit of yoghurt to give it some zest, there are plenty of fresh, in-season fruits to choose from in March.

APRIL

• Banana
• Cantaloupe
• Coconut
• Five finger/Carambola/Star apple/Starfruit
• French cashew/Pomerac/Otaheite apple
• Grapefruit
• Guava
• Honeydew melon
• Papaya
• Pineapple
• Tamarind
• Sapodilla
• Soursop
• Sugar cane
• Watermelon
• Wax apples

April highlight

A fruit by any other name is…the same fruit?

Clearly, April is going to be a fun month, as there is a long list of fruits available in the region. Interestingly though, the names of some fruits are subject to change depending on where you are. Let’s take the Star fruit for example; it also goes by the names star apple, five fingers, kamranga, or carambola. Similarly, Grenada’s French cashew is called pomerac in Trinidad and Tobago, and Otaheite apple in Jamaica. Also, Dominica’s pommecythere is called Jew plum, June plum or golden apple in other countries.

MAY 

• Banana
• Cantaloupe
• Coconut
• French cashew/Pomerac/Otaheite apple
• Guava
• Honeydew melon
• Mango
• Papaya
• Pineapple
• Sugar cane
• Watermelon
• Wax apples

JUNE 

• Banana
• Cantaloupe
• Coconut
• Guava
• Honeydew melon
• Papaya
• Passion fruit
• Pineapple
• Pomegranate
• Mango
• Sugar cane
• Watermelon
  
  

June highlight

This time of the year is bountiful. Here we have all our favourite fruits in one month!

June and July offer countless delicious fruits from which to choose. Cool and satisfying coconuts are in season, as are tasty, tangy pineapples. There are also mangoes of all sorts. While some types of mangoes are found across the region, there are varieties that are specific to certain islands. But, be they Julie, East Indian, Starch, Ceylon, Common, or any other, we love them all.

JULY

• Banana
• Cantaloupe
• Coconut
• Guava
• Honeydew melon
• Papaya
• Passion fruit
• Pineapple
• Pomegranate
• Mango
• Sugar cane
• Watermelon

AUGUST

• Banana
• Cantaloupe
• Chenet/Genip/Skinup
• Coconut
• Guava
• Honeydew melon
• Papaya
• Passion Fruit
• Pomegranate
• Sugar apple
• Sugar cane
• Watermelon

SEPTEMBER 

• Banana
• Cantaloupe
• Chenet/Genip/Skinup
• Coconut
• Five finger/Carambola/Star apple/Starfruit
• Guava
• Golden apple/Pommecythere/June plum
• Grapefruit
• Honeydew melon
• Papaya
• Pomegranate
• Sugar cane
• Watermelon

September highlight

Watermelon offers heart care and skincare

What is more refreshing than a slice of watermelon on a hot day? It’s equally revitalising when blended with apple juice and a few blocks of ice to make a smoothie. Also, here’s a tidbit before you discard the skin: did you know you can use it for skincare? It’s simple: after removing the red flesh, use the inner white of the peel to rub on your face. Leave overnight as a nighttime moisturiser.

OCTOBER 

• Banana
• Coconut
• Guava
• Golden Apple/Pommecythere/June plum
• Grapefruit
• Mandarin/Tangerine/Portugal
• Orange
• Papaya
• Pomegranate
• Sugar cane
  
  

NOVEMBER 

• Banana
• Coconut
• Guava
• Golden Apple/Pommecythere/June plum
• Grapefruit
• Mandarin/Tangerine/Portugal
• Orange
• Papaya
• Pomegranate
• Sugar cane

DECEMBER 

• Banana
• Coconut
• Golden Apple/Pommecythere/June plum
• Grapefruit
• Mandarin/Tangerine/Portugal
• Orange
• Papaya
• Pomegranate
• Sugar cane

December highlight

A fruit for all time

It goes without saying that coconut is a staple. Found throughout the region, coconut water is the thirst quencher of choice for many. Whether it’s to replenish electrolytes after a bout of diarrhoea or to ‘flush’ out your system, coconut water is the natural remedy of choice. As it's in such high demand, aren't you thankful it can be found year-round? Either straight from the nut or bottled and chilled, the water of this iconic fruit is refreshing.

Our list is by no means exhaustive, but as a start, it’s quite comprehensive. Also, some fruits are in season multiple times throughout the year, making it difficult to be precise.

Do you need to shop for fruits? Then check your Find Yello supermarket and grocery listings.
 

Sources:  Refreshing and Delicious, Healthline, and British Nutrition Foundation.