Nowadays, buying seasonal fruits can be underrated. With the advances in technology and transportation, it's becoming less and less common with every succeeding generation. Most people probably have no idea which fruits are in season — let alone the benefits you can get from buying them at the right time. 

Let's tackle about what being "in season" really means, and what benefits we can get from eating seasonal fruits.

What does "in season" mean?

In essence, plants have what we call a "growing season" — it's the time of year when local conditions (such as rainfall, temperature, and daylight) allow them to grow normally. Each plant or crop has its own growing season, which is determined by its genetic adaptation.

This means that being "in season" tells us that the fruits are grown in abundance at a particular time of the year. Not only that, but it also means that the fruits are at their best possible quality because the climate is perfect for the plant's growth.  

Benefits of Seasonal Fruits

Here are the reasons why you should buy fruits that are in season:

1. Cheaper Prices

Seasonal produce is typically cheaper than the same fruit or vegetable purchased during the off-season. 

This is related to the basic supply and demand concept: in-season produce is in plentiful supply, so it's sold at lower prices to sustain demand. On the other hand, fruits are more costly during the off-season because it costs more to import them from areas of the world where production is possible all year.

2. Superior Taste

When fruits (and most plant-based foods), are picked at the right time and under the right conditions, they taste the best. This is particularly evident when it comes to juicier summer fruits such as pineapple. When you buy these in season, you won't have those starchy and dry characteristics, such as when you buy plastic-wrapped apples, for example.

3. Healthy Fresh

Keep in mind that nutrients are at their most potent just as the plant has just fully matured, so fruits tend to have a higher amount of these nutrients when they are bought fresh. This is because nutrients — especially vitamins, tend to deteriorate over time. 

In addition, non-fresh or non-seasonal fruits tend to be exposed to more elements as opposed to fresh fruit. As such, out-of-season fruit that is the same price as seasonal fruit could be a red flag because it may be close to deterioration.

4. Seasonally Nutritious

Seasonal fruit tends to adapt to its climate. For example, citrus fruits are grown most during cold seasons. 

We all know that vitamin C is very helpful for preventing the spread of common diseases during the cold season, such as the flu or the common cold. Likewise, summer fruits such as pineapple contain plenty of carotenoids that reduce the amount of damage you take from being out in the sun all day.

5. Locally Sourced

Fresh fruits are most likely locally sourced. This is because a fruit can't really be fresh once it's traveled over by ship, plane, or even long road trips. 

Therefore, buying fresh fruits actually helps local businesses to flourish. And because in-season fruits cost less, purchasing seasonal produce actually benefits not only your local farmer but also your pocket!

Ultimately, consumers who purchase produce during its growing season can enjoy the freshest ingredients, the best taste, the most nutrition, and the most affordable prices.