Shopping list

Almonds, apples (UK – Cox and Bramley; import – North American reds), Asian pears (nashi), bananas, Brazil nuts, chestnuts, clementines, coconuts, cranberries, grapefruit, kumquats, lemons, limes, lychees, mangoes, mineolas, oranges (Shamouti and Navel), ortaniques, pears (UK – Conference and Comice), persimmons, pineapples, pomegranates, pomelos, rhubarb (forced), satsumas, Seville oranges, sharon fruit, ugli fruit, walnuts

Although the seedless, sweet sharon fruit is taking over the affection previously reserved for less user-friendly parent, the persimmon, this, too, is now in season and available from specialist shops. Look also for physalis (Chinese gooseberry) with its papery lanterns concealing a tart, orange berry. Many stores have fruit such as apricots, figs, dates and prunes dried in the autumn and still in prime condition (often the best are sold loose).