Knowledge of Seasonal Fruit

Seasonal Fruits

I am a firm believer that education is power. One can be the ultimate chef or the ultimate pastry chef; there is always something new coming down the pike in baking and cooking. I have seen multiple, if not dozens, of chocolates come to life that we as bakers have not even heard of. When it comes to my fruit cheesecakes, I had the most embarrassing moment when a return customer who had ordered more than 8 cheesecakes from me ordered a Marionberry Cheesecake.

Have I taken the time to learn about seasonal fruits when making my cheesecakes? Out of all honesty, no. So, of course, I turned to ChatGPT. Wow, was I educated about all the seasonal fruits for the year! I printed it out, and now, this is my new bible when someone orders a fruit cheesecake. Now, does everyone know what fruits are in season? Possibly. So, why not share it with you?

January - Citrus (oranges, grapefruit, lemons, limes)

February - Citrus (peak season) apples, pears, strawberries (always start in warmer locations)

April - Strawberries, pineapple, mango, rhubarb

May - Strawberries (are at the peakest time), cherries (may arrive early, so double check them)

June - Strawberries, cherries (peak), blueberries, raspberries, apricots, peaches (early arrival), nectarines

July - Blueberries (peak), raspberries, blackberries, cherries (late for them), peaches (peak), nectarines, plums

August - Watermelon, cantaloupe, peaches, nectarines, plums, blackberries, figs

September - Grapes, apples (start of peak season), pears, plums, figs, raspberries (full crop)

October - Apples (at their peak season), pears, cranberries, grapes, pomegranates (start of peak season)

November - Apples, pears, cranberries, pomegranates, citrus (season starting again)

December - Citrus (oranges, mandarins, grapefruits), apples, pears, pomegranates

ChatGPT shared that the pro tip for any cheesecake business is to use this to rotate flavors:

Spring - Strawberry

Summer - Mixed berry or peach cobbler cheesecake

Fall - Apple crumb or cranberry cheesecake

Winter - Orange creamsicle or lemon cheesecake

Tuck this away for your favorite fruit cheesecake. Moral of the story: I now know what fruits to offer during the multiple seasons. Lesson learned!