You can buy fruits year-round, but there are fruits that are especially more delicious in the summer months when they’re in season.  Adding fruit to your kitchen will give it a pop of color while being a delicious and nutritious healthy snack or a garnish on a pretty summer cocktail. So, which fruits are extra ripe and juicy this season? Here’s a list of some of your favorite fruits that taste best in the summer.

Berries

Strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, and raspberries are perfect for topping off your yogurt, blending them in a smoothie, or eating them alone.

Strawberries are among the first fruits to ripen in early summer, while blueberries have a growing season from May through October. You can use blueberries as a topping or to add flavor to muffins or pancakes. Small but rich in vitamin C, blackberries help strengthen your immune system. Lastly, raspberries are ready to harvest from June to August or July to September, depending on the region.

Stone Fruits

Stone fruits are the juiciest in the summer. Think peaches, plums, apricots, and nectarines. These fruits peak at different times of the season. Peaches and plums are members of the same family, offering flavors that are both sweet and tart but can also be added to desserts that give you sweet and savory flavors, such as peach cobbler. Plus, they’re a great source of antioxidants and fiber.  Meanwhile, nectarines can be mistaken for peaches. They’re very similar in appearance, minus the minimal fuzz. Nectarines are sweet to the core and are packed with dietary fiber, antioxidants, and minerals. Orange and round, apricots are in season from May through August.

Melons

Melons are considered cooling fruits, including cantaloupes, honeydew melons, and watermelons. These are the most popular summer fruits, rich in color and hydrating with a sweet crunch. Watermelons are the companion fruit of the summer, providing energy and hydration and reducing inflammation. Cantaloupes have a textured external barrier with a bright orange interior, while honeydew is bright green. Both are as sweet as candy and contain several vitamins, potassium, and antioxidants to help with bowel movements, bone health, and blood pressure.

Other Fruits

Berries, stone fruits, and melons aren’t the only fruits that thrive in the summertime. Apples, oranges, grapes, mangoes, and bananas are also considered summer fruits. Put them on display in a large fruit bowl or add them to your fridge’s crisper.

How To Preserve Your Fruits

Whether you’re saving your fruit for a midday snack or prepping for an event, you want to ensure it stays fresh.

There are several ways to preserve your fruits and keep them fresh. Freezing is one of the simplest ways to preserve food. To keep the nutrients, freeze the fruit immediately and do so in freeze-grade bags. Using proper bags, wraps, and more designed for the freezer will also prevent freezer burn. You can also preserve food by canning, pickling, drying, or dehydrating.

Adding Summer Fruits to Your Diet

While you can easily cut up your fruits or eat them alone, there are several ways to add these summer fruits to your diet. Consider smoothie bowls, fruit salads, or adding them to your yogurt for extra flavor. You can even get a juicer to make fresh juices with your summer fruits.