A pile of strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and mint leaves

Summer Flavors: The Best Tastes of the Season

For most of us, summer drums up a vast range of fond memories and images that are intertwined with long lazy afternoons, fun family gatherings, warm nights, and hazy days. Typically, as the weather heats up, we turn more towards lighter, brighter flavors and foods. We leave behind those filling, warming, heavy fall and winter meals. We move away from the earthy, savory tastes of roasts and root vegetables into more vibrant, leafy green salads and sweet, juicy fruits. We even tend to dress in bolder colors and patterns when the sunshine is strong.
A field of sunflowers
So what fruits and veggies are considered “in season” ‘during summers here in the United States? This week, you’ll not only learn which fruits and vegetables are best to eat during the summer months, you’ll also discover why it's important to eat the right seasonal produce during the specific seasons each year.

The Best Fruits and Veggies for Summer

During the warm summer months, we usually see juicy fruits and green leafy veggies out front and center at our local grocery stores. For example, when you first walk into the produce section, chances are you’ll see watermelon, strawberries, blueberries, kale, zucchini, and a host of other eye-catching goodies.
A bright summer salad with avocado and berries
Fruits and veggies that are in season now include:
  • Apples
  • Apricots
  • Bananas
  • Bell Peppers
  • Cantaloupe
  • Cucumbers
  • Corn
  • Blackberries
  • Assorted Herbs
  • Garlic
  • Green Beans
  • Lemons
  • Summer Squash
  • Tomatillos
  • Tomatoes
  • Plums
  • Peaches
  • Mangos
  • Lima Beans
  • Okra
Aside from these fruits and vegetables being extra delicious in-season, they are more affordable. Did you know that when you purchase produce during times when they are plentiful, they will be less expensive? It’s true! When you try to buy produce that’s out of season, you’ll end up spending more money in the long-run. So, in picking fruits and veggies that are in-season, not only will you be supporting your health and wellness, you’ll also be going easier on your pocketbook.

Why it’s Important to Eat with the Seasons

Within the ancient Indian practice of Ayurveda, Ritucharya is the act of eating seasonally. In practicing Ritucharya, you eat according to the seasons in order to prevent disease and maintain or boost health. Along with the general health benefits of eating foods that are in-season during specific times throughout the year, you’ll also be giving your taste buds a treat because seasonal foods taste better over foods that are consumed out of season.
A young girl smiling broadly and holding a basket of fresh vegetables
Some reasons to eat according to the seasons are:
  1. It’s healthier. Foods that are grown during their specific seasons are more dense nutritionally. When foods are forced to be grown outside of their proper seasons, they don’t have the same nutrient content as their seasonally-grown counterparts. In fact, because out-of-season produce isn’t able to follow natural growing and ripening patterns, chemicals, gasses, and heating processes known as ripening agents are used. This enables these fruits and vegetables to be grown in mass quantities because the ripening process and maturation are slowed down. Sadly, this type of produce is not as delicious or nutritionally sound as produce that’s been grown and allowed to naturally ripen during its proper growing season.
  2. The flavors are bolder and brighter. When you grow your own seasonal fruits and veggies or find them at a farmers market, chances are they taste better than the ones you buy at your local grocery store. This is because oftentimes, grocery store produce is mass-produced to meet consumer demands. Moreover, the selective breeding of fruits and vegetables dampens natural flavor so that shelf life can be extended.
  3. It’s more cost-effective. As we stated earlier, when fruits and veggies are grown in-season, they are more plentiful. When produce is plentiful, the prices are a lot cheaper. Simply stated, seasonal eating saves you money.
  4. It’s environmentally friendly. Eating locally and seasonally is better for the environment. When you purchase fruits and veggies that are in-season from your local farmer or farmer’s market, not only are you supporting local farms, you’re also helping to decrease the negative environmental impact that imported produce has. Fruits and vegetables that are imported negatively impact our environment through the fuel emissions and transportation costs that it takes to get them from overseas into the United States. When you visit farmer’s markets or join a community-supported agriculture, or CSA, you’ll find the most amazing fresh, local produce, seafood, and meat that’s lower in price, seasonal, and that most likely is organic.

Matching FAB with the Seasons

If you love eating with the seasons, then why not take things a step further by matching your favorite FAB CBD products with the seasons as well? During the hot summer months, nothing pairs better with all those fresh fruits and berries than FAB CBD full-spectrum oils in berry or citrus flavors. If citrus or berry aren’t your thing, then you can also opt to go with FAB CBD’s refreshing mint flavored full-spectrum oil. These oils come in strengths of 300mg, 600mg, 1200mg, and 2400mg, and contain all of the beneficial terpenes, cannabinoids, and phytonutrients that the hemp plant has to offer. All of FAB CBD’s full-spectrum oils contain less than 0.3% THC, which is under the legal limit set by the federal government. All of FAB CBD’s oils are made to order, have a 12-month shelf life, and are routinely tested for quality and purity by an independent-third party laboratory. All of the oil flavor options are fresh, invigorating, and a delicious way to give your taste buds a treat this summer.
Someone picking up a bottle of berry CBD oil
No matter which products are your favorites, FAB CBD has the flavors that go well with any and all seasons. As long as you’re ready for a taste of the summer, FAB CBD has got you covered. Don’t be afraid to mix it up and try different products with tastes that are in season for the next few months!

Our Closing Thoughts

Seasonal eating is the best kind of eating. Not only are you taking advantage of fruits and vegetables that are plentiful and nutritionally dense, you’ll also be saving money in the long-run. When you eat with the seasons, you’re working to boost your overall health and wellness. Moreover, seeking out produce that’s in-season from your local farmer, farmer’s market, or CSA helps to support local farms that strive to give their customers the very best natural produce that’s bursting with flavor, packed with vitamins and minerals, and that’s free from harmful growing and ripening agents. Finally, a great way to kick your healthy lifestyle into high gear is to also pair your favorite FAB CBD products with the season. Since summer’s here, now’s the time to start adding berry, citrus, or mint flavored full-spectrum oils into the mix. There’s no limit to the fun you can have with food, flavor, and your favorite FAB CBD product this summer.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.