Seasonal fruits and vegetables in Cyprus: what and when grows on the sunny island

Cyprus is often called sunny, but it can equally be referred to as “delicious”. Its Mediterranean cuisine attracts tourists all year round with simple and healthy dishes based on the locally fruits and vegetables. Each season has its own range of vegetables and fruits, and it is worth buying a ticket and flying over if you are a fan of a particular fresh delicious gift of nature.

Seasonality of different fruits in Cyprus

Fruits in Cyprus in are sold in supermarkets, special fruit shops and markets. All year round you can buy and taste whatever your heart desires. For the sake of such an endless abundance of flavours, many even seek to buy a property in Cyprus. But in order for the fruit to really be fresh, it is important to know exactly when they ripen.

The seasonality of fruits abundant in Cyprus, is as follows:
● orange, tangerine, grapefruit - from November to March;
● lemon, strawberries, bananas - all year round (it is worth considering that in winter strawberries are supplied for sale from greenhouses, and therefore their taste is slightly different from the taste of summer berries);
● lime, pomelo, pomegranate - from October to March;
● apple - from May to September;
● carambola - from February to April;
● kiwi (ripens twice a year) - from February to March and from September to October;
● cherries - from May to June;
● watermelon, melon - from May to August;
● apricot, nectarine, peach, grapes - from June to September;
● pear, plum - from July to September;
● figs, prickly pear - from August to September;
● mango, persimmon - from October to January.

Even the winter in Cyprus is blessed with huge amount of fresh seasonal fruits. In spring and summer ripe fruits in Cyprus can even be seen on roadside trees right in the city but Cypriots believe that eating fruits growing near the road is bad tone. The markets sell fruits grown on farms.
Autumn is especially abundant with fruits, so the lovers of grapes, figs, plums and many other delicious fruits should consider visiting the island in these months.

Exotic fruits that grow in Cyprus

Absolutely all fruits and vegetables of Cyprus can be called exotic, since their taste is significantly different from what we are accustomed to.

But there are certain fruits grown on the island, which you cannot find in other countries:
● Chinese pear nashi΄ - a fruit that in appearance and taste is something in between a pear and an apple;
● carob - although they look like beans in shape, their taste is very sweet, and they are extensively used in the confectionery industry;
● medlar - ripens from March to June, tastes like a juicy pear and cherry, with a touch of sourness;
● papaya - a berry that can weigh up to several kilograms, and tastes a bit like a combination of melon and peach;
● prickly pear - a sweet cactus fruit with a herbal aroma;
● pitaya is a sweet fruit that also grows on cactus.

Such an abundance of fresh exotic fruits combined with a mild climate is a powerful argument for moving to Cyprus for permanent residence. Investing in real estate in Cyprus will help the you and your family move to the island faster and enjoy all the Mediterranean fruits all year round.

Fresh vegetables in Cyprus, which are on the table all year round

Fruits and vegetables of Cyprus are a healthy source of vitamins. If fruits can be eaten fresh basically right from the tree, the vegetables of Cyprus mostly reach your table as part of amazing dishes.

The most famous Cypriot dish is called "moussaka" and is cooked with eggplant and tomatoes grown on the island. Zucchini grows in great abundance here, which, together with eggplants, are used to make stews, or are baked with cheese. You can find more information about the national dishes of Cyprus in this article.

Other vegetables grown in Cyprus are also used in Mediterranean cuisine:
● artichokes;
● bell pepper;
● cabbage;
● plain and green beans;
● celery.

Herbs grow here in great abundance - basil, cilantro, mint, arugula, parsley, dill and many others. And most importantly, there are fresh vegetables in Cyprus regardless of the season.

The average price for seasonal fruits and vegetables is around € 1-2 per kilo. Some fruits and berries can cost more, for example, cherries, for which even in season reach the price of €6-7 per kilogram, while the cheapest vegetables - potatoes and beets - are valued at about 40 cents per kilogram. Herbs and greens are even cheaper - about 30 cents for a generous bunch. But it is important to bear in mind that prices for fruits and vegetables in Cyprus always fluctuate throughout the year.

Fruits and vegetables of Cyprus are the core of the locals’ diet. Once a year, before the beginning of Lent (that is, 50 days before Easter) Cypriots have a "Green Monday". On this day, they don’t eat meat or cooked dishes, and eat exclusively fresh vegetables, greens and seafood. It is an official day off so people have a chance to get out and have a picnic and some family time.