The Ultimate Guide to Spring Fruits

Seasonal produce is often tastier and more affordable. On top of that, eating what’s in season is a great way to lower your carbon footprint. And while March, April, and May still mean snow and freezing temperatures in many places, farmers in the warmer states are ready to send a bountiful crop to supermarkets all across the country. This year, give these spring fruits a chance to shine at your table.

List of spring fruits in the United States

All these fruits are grown and harvested in the months of March, April, and May. If there’s any you have never tried, the spring is the best time to do it.

1. Apricots

Late spring is the best time to enjoy apricots. Because this fruit doesn’t ripen after being picked, they’re at their sweetest and juiciest this time of year.

2. Avocado

Although avocados are in season year-round, they’re most flavorful when picked in early spring.

3. Bananas

Bananas are grown year-round in the warm, tropical climate of South Florida. You’ll always find them at the store in spring.

4. Blackberries

Blackberries are first picked in March in Florida but the harvest continues well into summer.

5. Blueberries

Similarly, you can also find the first harvests of blueberries in March.

6. Caimito

Caimito, also known as star apple, is a rather unusual fruit that tastes sweet and creamy. It’s in season all spring long.

7. Cantaloupe

Florida cantaloupes are in season from early spring until early summer, when varieties from other states get added to supermarket shelves.

8. Cherimoyas

White, milky, and sticky sweet, cherimoyas have a reputation for tasting like custard. Spring is the perfect time to try one.

9. Cherries

Look for the tastiest, most tart cherries in stores from mid-spring, when they’re in season.

10. Grapefruit

Grapefruit is a popular winter crop that keeps on giving until late spring.

11. Kiwis

Packed with vitamin C, the kiwi fruit is best enjoyed in early spring.

12. Kumquats

Although they look like small, elongated oranges, kumquats have a unique flavor profile. They’re at their juiciest in early- to mid-spring.

13. Lemons

Lemons grow year-round in California, which means you can also add them to your seasonal diet in spring.

14. Limes

Fresh limes are a staple of spring. Look for the small, firm, glossy ones—they’re the most flavorful.

15. Loquats

You can find sweet, ripe loquats in stores all spring long. 

16. Mandarins

The best mandarins are often the spring-harvest ones. Pick up the ones that smell the sweetest.

17. Nectarines

This bald fruit has more of a bite to it than its cousin, the fuzzy peach. Look for it to hit shelves in early spring.

18. Oranges

Whether you want to eat them fresh or juice them, oranges are perfectly ripe from early spring onward.

19. Pears

In Florida, pears are harvested from May onward, much earlier than anywhere else in the country.

20. Persimmons

Although persimmons are a popular fall crop, they’re also in season in early- and mid-spring.

21. Pineapple

The first pineapples of the year are harvested in Hawai’i, in April, when they’re already perfectly ripe.

22. Pummelo

You may have never eaten pummelo before, but this grapefruit ancestor is worth trying out. There’s no better time than early- and mid-spring to grab a few at the store.

23. Strawberries

Believe it or not, you can get a sweet, juicy crop of strawberries in mid-spring in the warmer states of the country.

24. Tomatillos

Yes, tomatillos are a fruit, and they’re in season throughout all of spring. They’re more acidic and sour than most fruits, but they’re great in salsas or roasted.

25. Watermelon

You may associate watermelons with summer, but the first harvests start in March.

26. White sapote

Perhaps the oddest item on this list of spring fruits, white sapote is native to Mexico and Central America. It’s now also grown in the United States, where it’s in season from March to November.

Where to find spring fruits

Most of the fruits on this list are easy to find. You can see them in supermarkets and neighborhood produce stores, no matter where you live. If you’re in one of the states that grow these fruits, you’re also likely to find them at roadside fruit stalls and farmer’s markets.

Grab it now on Instacart:

Apricot (14 oz)

Grapefruit (56 ct)

Organic Kumquat (8 oz)

Fuyu Persimmons (2 lb)

Pummelo (1 each)

Organic White Sapote (1 each)

How to store spring fruits

Spring fruit is best enjoyed right away, but there are clever ways of making it last a longer time:

• Store spring fruit in the crisper drawer of your fridge. Depending on the fruit, it can last up to 2 weeks.
• Wash, peel, and chop spring fruits, then store them in an airtight container in the freezer. They’ll stay good for 6 to 12 months.
• Can or preserve spring fruit and store the jars in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.

5 recipes using spring fruits

These spring fruits are great on their own, but that’s not the only way you can enjoy them.

1. Chicken tagine with apricots

Let your fresh apricots shine when you pair them with chicken and North African spices. This dish is bursting with flavor.

2. Chipotle chicken with blueberry-mandarin salsa

Mandarins and blueberries—2 spring fruits—may sound like an odd combination, but they come together nicely as a topping for grilled chicken.

3. Grilled bass with strawberry salsa

The fresher the strawberries, the better this dish will taste. It’s a perfect mix of saltiness and sweetness.

4. White chocolate-lime fudge

This light dessert will make you fall in love with the zestiness of spring limes.

5. Cherry crumble pie bars

When you crave a buttery treat, turn to these tart, decadent spring cherry crumble bars.

Incorporate more of these spring fruits into your diet

Are you sold on spring fruits yet? You don’t have to eat the same fruits over and over again. Even if your local store doesn’t stock what you are itching to try, you can still enjoy nature’s bounty by ordering via Instacart. Add everything you want to your cart and have a shopper deliver your groceries to your doorstep. Simple as that.

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Author

Instacart is the leading grocery technology company in North America, partnering with more than 1,400 national, regional, and local retail banners to deliver from more than 80,000 stores across more than 14,000 cities in North America. To read more Instacart posts, you can browse the company blog or search by keyword using the search bar at the top of the page.