Happy New Year from New Covent Garden Market. 

A big highlight this month is Yorkshire forced rhubarb, which starts this month and wraps up around March. 

Blood oranges are also underway. This crop is mainly grown in Sicily. Key varieties are Tarocco (best flavour), Moro (dark colour) and Sanguinello (good for juicing). You may also find imports of Sanguinello from Spain. 

Other citrus includes Seville oranges, which have a short season of around three weeks. 

Lots of other citrus around, too. Leafy clementines are still going strong this month. Also Amalfi lemons, bergamot, cedro, Buddha's Hands. The photo below shows a pallet of Italian kumquats. 

These are the rare Chocolate orange from Spain.
  

For other fruit, exotics include lychees and mangoes.  Pomegranates are recommended this month. 

This photo shows the two main types of figs - black and green - imported from countries such as Brazil.

How about these gorgeous bottle pineapples? A cut above your average fruit ...

Don't forget homegrown apples and pears. Modern storage techniques mean these still eat very well out of store. 

Winter is the time for all the root crops. Expect a dizzying variety: beetroots, carrots, radishes, fennel, Jerusalem artichokes, parsley root, chervil root and more. 

There are also the winter tomato varieties such as Marinda and Camone, known for their crunch and savoury flavours.

UK brassicas shine brightly at this time of year. Brussel sprouts are not just for Christmas! Also kales, Romanesco, Savoy cabbage, January King cabbage and Cavolo Nero.

Artichokes are on good form. Radicchios from Italy are at their best. This is Castelfranco - such a stunning ingredient.

Also from Italy - Cime di Rapa, a.k.a. turnip tops. 

January is not a strong month for wild mushrooms. You may find some Chanterelle, but the best quality is found in the cultivated species, such as these King Oyster - grown in Germany. 

See you in February for our next Market Report.