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Discovering the Best Tasting Fruits Often Overlooked in Grocery Stores

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Have you ever come across a yellow kiwi in your local grocery store and wondered where it went? Or missed the sweet and tangy taste of currants or green gooseberries picked straight from the bush? There are many fruits that, while delicious, are not as widely available commercially as their more mainstream counterparts. In this article, we will explore some of these hidden gems and why they are worth seeking out.

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Yellow Kiwis: A Sweet Surprise

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While traditional kiwis are green on the inside, which can sometimes be too sour for some tastes, yellow kiwis offer a different experience. These kiwis, with their golden/yellow flesh inside, are known for their sweeter and more pleasant taste. Discovered a couple of years ago, they have quickly become a favorite for their delightful contrast to the green kiwi’s acidity.

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True yellow kiwis can be hard to find in grocery stores, despite their growing popularity. This rarity made me and others start searching for them more diligently, often returning to the same store where I first encountered them. There’s something special about finding a fruit that is both rare and delicious.

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Currants: The Sweet, Off-the-Bush Tastings

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Imagine the joy of picking currants right from the bush, their sweet little clusters bursting with flavor. While you can find currants in grocery stores, they are often a pale imitation of the fresh-off-the-bush variety. Picked directly from the vine, currants have a depth of flavor that ripens and mellows as it remains on the bush. The taste is richer and more complex, with a balance of sweetness and tartness that is simply unmatched by their commercial counterparts.

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Those who have grown up picking currants in places like Central New York know the true taste of this fruit. Green and tart with a distinct deliciousness, currants are a seasonal delight that is often unavailable in grocery stores. You might have to buy them online or through specialty markets to experience the authentic taste.

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Mulberries: Seasonal Delights

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Mulberries, with their flavor profile similar to blueberries but with more layers, offer a unique and versatile fruit. The younger berries are often quite sour, while the riper ones are sweet and plump. They are not only delicious but also a refreshing seasonal treat. Growing a dwarf mulberry tree in a large container can be a rewarding experience, but these fruits are extremely seasonal, and the yield can be quite limited, often just a handful of berries a year.

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The fruit is so seasonal that even finding mulberry jam can be challenging. When it is available online, the cost can be quite steep. This speaks to the difficulty in finding a commercially produced version of this fruit, but also adds to the allure of these rare and delicate treats. However, the cost and rarity of mulberry jams make them a special treat when finally found.

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Why Seek Out These Fruits?

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While these fruits may be harder to find, their unique flavors and qualities make them worth the effort to seek out. Each of these fruits has its own distinct taste profile that cannot be replicated by their commercially available relatives. From the sweetness of the yellow kiwi to the tartness of the green gooseberry, and the versatile flavor of the mulberry, these fruits offer a glimpse into bolder, more diverse flavors.

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By seeking them out, you not only expand your culinary experiences but also support local and specialty growers who often have the traditional varieties of these fruits. It’s a reminder that some of the most flavorful fruits are often less popular and thus, less commercialized.

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In conclusion, the fruits mentioned in this article are hidden gems worth seeking out. From the yellow kiwi to the sweet currants and the seasonal mulberries, each fruit offers a unique and delightful taste experience. Although harder to find in grocery stores, these fruits make for a rewarding and enriching addition to any culinary journey.