Western Australia has great supplies of Stone fruit with major growing regions in the Perth Hills, the South West and Gingin. It is always best to eat food grown locally as it is the freshest and tastes the best!
Listen here to a local Perth Hills grower, Eric Leotta, chat with Darren and Sue from 6PR about everything Stone fruit!
‘People do come from afar to get our apricots, but we do have peaches, nectarines, and even a few figs.’
Stone fruit is best picked in the final stages of ripening, when natural sugar levels are starting to peak and juice is forming. Once picked fruit should be stored between 8°C – 15°C to extend the ripening process then at room temperature till ready to eat.
Many growers are now offering farm gate sales or attend farmers markets. Eric Leotta’s orchard is one of these, look for the big ‘Leotta’ sign on Canning Road in Carmel for farm gate sales every weekend during the summer stone fruit season.
‘We have tasting so you can try before you buy.’
Fortunately for us Western Australians, we have some of the best fruit growing soils and climates in the world, on our doorstep and because of this we have great Stone fruit during the summer months, make sure you enjoy the best fruit during your summer celebrations by buying local fresh WA Stone fruit.