Fresh Fruits

Northern Cyprus’ sunshine climatic weather provides the ideal condition for growing vegetation, including a wide variety of mouthwatering fruits. “Throughout the year there will always be a selection of seasonal choices. There’s nothing better than heading to Güzelyurt, the center of the citrus growing area with a bunch of fresh fruits during the summer, most of which you can pick directly from rural villages for free. I have made a list which some of these seasonal fruits you shouldn’t miss while visiting the island:

• Watermelons.
• Melons.
• Apricots.
• Peaches
• Cherries.
• Figs.
• Olives.
• Pears.
• Strawberries.
• Papaya.
• Mangos.
• Guavas.
• Citrus.
• Bananas.

The best place to purchase these fresh goodies is to make an order from GIFA Agriculture's farm or either join our farmers at the local markets.  There are several makeshift stalls set up along the side of the road by individual food growers, where also a person can buy fresh fruits and veggies at the lowest price deal. All the major towns, Lefkosa, Kyrenia, Magusa, Iskele, and Guzelyurt have Market Day, which is preferably known as ''Sunday Market'' in Lefkosa and ''Wednesday Market'' in Kyrenia that open every week where local farmers sell a variety of farm products at cheaper prices than the local shops.

The local mangoes are very green (as opposed to the orange/green ones from Brazil and Peru). Even though they are of an exotic temperament, they have proven their ability to grow well here and are very tasty! In Cyprus, they are eaten raw and are also used in various dishes such as salads and sweets or for their juice. Their season begins in October.

Watermelons on the island begin ripening at the end of May, and their season lasts throughout the entire summer, until the end of August. As the summer kicks in, watermelons get bigger and bigger in size, with some of them weighing as much as 10 kilos! Watermelon types and flavours vary depending on where they are grown on the island. The most popular areas for watermelons are in the southwest coast of the island. Other local melons ripen at the same time as watermelons, starting at the beginning of May, with the most succulent ones available in midsummer.

Local apricots initially appear early in June and continue to ripen throughout June and July. There is a local variety of apricots called ‘kayısı’ and these are considered to be the best type. They are small and bright yellow with just a hint of pink. Nectarines and peaches start making their appearance at the beginning of June. There are many varieties of both these fruits, and although small in size, they are very tasty and juicy!

A favourite fruit for many, the cherry season begins mid-May, with a relatively short fruiting season—by the end of June, the season is already considered over. Locally, there are two varieties of cherries which are cultivated mostly on the higher planes. There is the ‘petrokeraza’, the bigger, purple-black cherry, and the smaller, pinkish-white cherry. A popular fruit found everywhere on the island during the months of July through October, the green figs appear first and are followed by the dark purple-black ones.

Dried figs, usually found in abundance at the end of summer, are also a popular energy bite. These cacti are found everywhere on the island, and although they might not look very appealing, they are a delight when eaten. You have to be very careful when picking and peeling them; however, during the summer months, you can usually find them being sold already peeled for you. Most locals will advise you to eat them chilled!

In late September, guavas are available and are popular because they are known to be loaded with vitamin C. Complementing the array of fruit on the island, citrus fruits and bananas start becoming available in December. Bananas are also grown here, while citrus fruits are found in abundance across the island. There is a large variety of very tasty citrus fruit including lemons, limes, and several varieties of tangerine, pomelos, and other native species.

It goes without saying that grapes are found in abundance on the island, with some prevalent local varieties that can only be found in Cyprus. These include the Xynisteri, Spurtico Maratheftiko, and Ophthalmo along with other world-renowned varieties including the Carignan Noir Sultan, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malaga, Mataro, Cabernet Franc, Syrah, Chardonnay, and Merlot.

The main strawberry plantations are found in the Magusa and other places, where they are grown all year round in greenhouses. When the weather is good, you will find numerous strawberry vendors on the sides of roads all across the island. A great opportunity for a pit stop and something to water your palate! Relative newcomers to the local fruit selection, like a couple of villages within the Bellapais, Lefke including the Gardens of Babel have become known for their papayas, mangoes, and some delicious Avocados. These are collected at the end of September.

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