Our 1500 acres of crops in Queensland and NSW along with our close working relationship with some of Australia’s finest growers is supported by a team
committed to industry best practice allowing Premier Fruits Group to handle an extensive variety of fresh produce lines.
Varieties Cos or Romaine - A tall, cylindrical lettuce with long, upright, narrow leaves and a crisp, sweet taste. Iceberg - Familiar pale green lettuce which forms a tight, cabbage-like head. Its texture is crisp and its flavor very mild.
Description
Select bright, crisp, tender leaves, free of brown spots, yellow leaves and decay. Iceberg lettuces should be firm and heavy for their size.
Attributes
Some have a higher percentage of natural sugars while others are more bitter. The more bitter varieties have higher levels of antioxidants. Lettuce consist of about 95% water and have a small amount of dietary fibre. Darker varieties provide beta carotene and all are a good sources of folate (one of the B vitamins). 'There is also no fat and very few kilojoules (25-65kJ/100g)'.
Availability
All year round.
Capsicum – Core Product
Varieties
There are four varieties of Capsicum - red, green, yellow and orange.
Description
Capsicums are sold on colour or occasionally on shape. Fresh Capsicums should be firm, with glossy, unwrinkled skin. Avoid dull looking capsicum with soft spots or blemishes.
Attributes
Red Capsicums contain a high level of nutrients as compared with green and gold. Whilst all three are fat free, and low in kilojoules, Red capsicums contain a higher level of vitamins A and C and beta carotene.
Varieties
There are four varieties of Corn - yellow, white, bi-color (white and yellow mixed) and baby.
Description
Corn is a popular vegetable, especially with kids given its sweet taste. Fresh corn should have a green outer husk. The kernels should be bright, plump and show no signs of wrinkling.
Attributes
As well as tasting great, corn is a healthy vegetable being an excellent
source of fibre. Corn contains vitamin C, beta carotene and niacin (one
of the B group vitamins), potassium and is low in sodium. Baby corn
kernels are an excellent source of folate (one of the B group vitamins)
Availability
All year round.
Eggplant – Core Product
Varieties
Eggplants are not sold by variety in Australia. However, shape and colour are important.
Description
Eggplants have a smooth, firm, satin-like glossy skin. Avoid those with brown or soft sports and dull skin.
Attributes
Eggplants are a good source of dietary fibre. They are fat free and
low in kilojoules.
Varieties
Wombok is a member of the cabbage family. They are very different to traditionally round cabbages, being elongated in shape with loosely packed leaves.
Description
Select crisp leaves that are bright in colour and free from brown or yellow spots.
They should be heavy for their size.
Attributes
Wombok are a good source of vitamin C, beta carotene and dietary
fibre. They are low in fat and kilojoules.
Availability
All year round.
Bean – Core Product
Varieties
There are four varieties - Green (round), broad, flat and Borlotti.
Description
The most common Green (Round) Bean should be slender, crisp pods that are bright in colour and blemish-free. Good quality beans will snap readily when broken.
Attributes
Beans are a healthy vegetable. They are a good source of fibre, rich in vitamin C, an excellent source of beta carotene which your body turns into vitamin A. They are also a good source of folate (vitamin B) which is essential for your blood and an important source of iron.
Varieties Fuerte - Pear-shaped with a slightly pebbled, glossy, green skin. Sharwil - Pear-shaped, but more oval than Fuerte, with a shorter, fatter neck. Glossy, green skin that is almost smooth. Hass - Oval in shape, with a coarse pebbly skin that turns purplish-black once mature. Cocktail - Like a small green cucumber and all parts can be eaten.
Other varieties include: Bacon, Hazzard, Pinkerton, Rincon,
Shepard, Wurtz, Reed
Description
Avocadoes must be used when fully ripe. Test for ripeness by cradling
an avocado gently in your hand. Ripe fruit will be firm, yet will yield to
gentle pressure.
If pressing leaves a dent, the avocado is very ripe and suitable for mashing. They are best served at room temperature.
Attributes
Avocadoes are extremeley healthy being a source of essential fatty acids, high in vitamin E, vitamin B6, high in dietary fibre and antioxidants.
Avocados also contain glutathione, an antioxidant with anti-carcinogenic potential as well as significant amounts of a cholesterol-lowering phytosterol called beta-sitosterol.
Availability
All year round.
Grapes – Core Product
Varieties
There are three varieties - green, purple and red. Thompson Seedless - Also called sultana grapes(that's where sultanas come from) - The most widely eaten grape, a medium to oval-shaped grape, have a light green skin, are very sweet and juicy, and have no seeds.
Waltham Cross - An egg-shaped, seeded variety with a golden-green
skin and firm, sweet, juicy flesh.Menindee Seedless - Similar to a Thompson Seedless with a light green skin, no seeds and a firm flesh that is sweet and slightly tart. Muscat - A medium-sized grape that is oval in shape. Blue, black skin
& soft juicy flesh with seeds. Purple Cornichon - An elongated egg-shaped grape, with thick purple skin and soft, juicy flesh with seeds. Ribiers - A large black grape and one of the most popular eating dark
grapes with large seeds and a sweet and tart flavour. Black Muscat - Similar to the Muscat and are a medium-sized, round,
black grape. Have a terrific fruity flavour with soft, juicy flesh with seeds. Flame Seedless - A medium-sized, round, dark red grape with a firm flesh and a slightly tart taste. Red Globe - A very large, round red-skinned grape with large seeds and a very sweet taste.
Description
Select Grapes which are plump, well-coloured and firmly attached to their stems. Avoid soft or wrinkled fruit and those browning around the stem.
Attributes
Grapes have a high sugar content, with half as glucose and half as fructose. They contain dietary fibre, vitamin C, vitamin A and potassium
Varieties
White honeydew melons (Honey Dew, Honey Dew Green Fresh) - smooth white skin and green flesh.
Yellow honeydew melons (Honey Dew Gold Rind) - yellow to gold skin and green flesh.
Description
Select with clean, creamy or pale green rind and a sweet melon aroma. Will feel heavy for size if juicy.
Attributes
Honeydew are a source of vitamin C and other vitamins and minerals.
They contain sugar in the form of fructose and glucose. Honeydews contain more carotenoids when the flesh is ripe and green as opposed to when its paler and less ripe.
Availability
All year round.
Oranges – Core Product
Varieties Navel - Navel-like structure at one end of our fruit. The thin, orange-coloured skin is easily peeled from their flesh and their segments are easy to break apart. They are seedless and very juicy. Valencia - Very juicy and are best for juicing. Skin is orange but may stay green in warmer climates. This does not affect taste or juiciness.
Description
Select those that are firm, well-coloured and feel heavy for their size (juiciest).
Attributes
One standard size orange can contain two-and-a-half times the recommended daily allowance of vitamin C. Oranges also contain generous amounts of folate, potassium, thiamin, calcium and magnesium. The pith and the peel of an orange is rich in pectin and flavonoids, which is said to help prevent colds.
Varieties
Rockmelons are not sold by variety in Australia. The fruit has been around since ancient times-about 2400 BC.
Description
Selecting Rockmelons
Select those with a sweet aroma and a pronounced netting on the skin and a background colour of beige to golden.
Attributes
Excellent source of vitamin C. A 200g serving has twice the recommended daily intake of vitamin C.
- Those with deep orange flesh are also an excellent source of beta carotene and other members of the carotenoid family. The beta carotene level can vary from 800 to 1900 micrograms/100g. These quantities could be converted to 20-40% of the daily needs for vitamin A
- Low in kilojoules with 90kJ/100g.
Availability
All year round.
Tomatoes – Core Product
Varieties
Common tomato - Roundish, flat topped, red tomato with pink to red flesh. Sometimes sold as gourmet, vine-ripened tomatoes. Other large red tomatoes are Beefsteak, Oxheart and Grosse Lisse Roma or Egg tomatoes - Normally red and are a firm skinned tomato with a sweet, juicy flesh used both fresh and for processing.
A yellow form is also sold. Smaller tomatoes are sold as cherry, cocktail or teardrop tomatoes, depending on shape or size. Their sizes
are as their name suggests with the teardrop tomatoes being 3-5cm
long. These smaller varieties can be red, yellow, or orange-skinned
with pink to red, or yellow flesh.
Description
Select those which are bright red for immediate use, and pale pink for
future use. Look for plump, heavy tomatoes with smooth skins.
They should be free of bruises, blemishes, or deep cracks, although fine cracks at the stem ends of ripe tomatoes do not affect flavor.
Attributes
Fresh tomatoes are a delicious source of vitamin C (Cherry tomatoes have a higher level of vitamin C).
Tomatoes also are one of the best sources of lycopene, a carotenoid with cancer-fighting properties which appears to reduce the risk of prostate cancer in men.
The riper the tomato, the higher the level of lycopene. Pale coloured tomatoes have very little lycopene which may also fight heart disease.
Tomatoes have a sweet flavour and contain about 3% sugar, half from fructose and half from glucose. Tomatoes supply some vitamin E, folate and dietary fibre and are fat-free.
Varieties
Red Delicious
Granny Smith
Bonza
Golden Delicious
Gala
Jonathon
Braeburn
Pink Lady
Fuji
Description
Whilst there is many varieties of apples, select those that are firm and
crisp with a smooth skin.
Attributes
Apples are a very healthy fruit, containing more dietary fibre than a serving of oatmeal. They provide pectin which helps move food through your body more efficiently and boron which keeps bones strong and healthy.
One apple contains a quarter of your vitamin C needs. They are high in antioxidants and are fat and cholesterol free.
Availability
Red Delicious: All year round
Granny Smith: All year round
Bonza: Available May to Dec
Golden Delicious: All year round
Gala: Available Feb to Oct
Jonathan: Available March to July
Braeburn: Available May to July
Pink Lady: Available May to Jan
Fuji: Available: April to Dec
Watermelon – Core Product
Varieties
There are many different types of watermelon. The most popular is the Red Tiger - a long, cylindrical melon with dark green skin and dark red, very sweet flesh.
Description
Select those with hard-skins which feel heavy for their size and have a pleasant aroma. If cut, choose melon with bright pink to red
coloured, firm flesh.
Attributes
The darker the flesh colour of watermelon, the greater the quantity of carotenoids, such as beta carotene. Watermelons are one of three major sources of lycopene. The also contain vitamin C and dietary fibre.
Varieties
There are many different varieties of Apricots in Australia and their name varies according to their taste or colour of their skin, ranging from yellow, to orange or pink.
Description
Select those which are plump, pale to golden-orange colour with a fresh aromatic fragrance.
Attributes
Apricots contain beta carotene, vitamin A, high amounts of dietary fibre and vitamin C. They are also a source of energy containing three sugars - sucrose, glucose and fructose.
Availability
October to March
Grapefruit - Speciality Product
Varieties
There are four varieties of grapefruit, which are usually sold by colour:
Marsh Seedless - A yellow-skinned variety with pale yellow flesh and no seeds.
Ruby (also called Red Blush and Ruby Red) - Juicy pink-red flesh and a strong red blush.
Thompson (or Pink Marsh) - Yellow skin, no seeds, with lightly pink flesh.
Description
Look for round, smooth firm fruits that are heavy for their size (they will be juicy).
Attributes
Grapefruit are rich in vitamin C and bioflavonoids. Pink Grapefruit are a good source of lycopene. They also contain dietary fibre and are fat free.
Varieties
Imperial - An early season mandarin with fine, smooth, glossy, orange skin enclosing sweet, orange coloured flesh with several seeds.
Ellendale - A medium to large seeded mandarin with a deep orange skin which is easy to peel. The flesh is orange and has a good, sweet, rich flavour.
Murcott or Honey Tangerine - An older, medium-sized, seeded variety, yellowish-orange in colour, with a smooth, glossy skin. Skin is very thin and tight enclosing orange flesh which is juicy and sweet with a distinctive taste.
Description
Select those which are glossy and heavy for their size which indicates good juice content.
Attributes
Mandarins are high in vitamin C, beta carotene and other related carotenoids. The deeper the flesh colour, the higher the carotenoid level. They also are a good source of dietary fibre.
Availability
All year round
Mangoes - Core Product
Varieties
Kensington Pride or Bowen Special - A large, bright orange mango, often with a red blush. The flesh is deep orange and free of fibrous strands. Some other varieties are Irwin, Keitt, Nam Dok Mai, R2E2 and Kent.
Description
A ripe mango will yield to slight pressure when held between your hands.The skin should show a blush of either yellow-orange or red, which will increase in area as the fruit ripens.
Attributes
Mangoes are an excellent source of vitamin C and beta carotene. They are also a source of dietary fibre.
Varieties
Sold by flesh colour - yellow-fleshed or white-fleshed, there are many, many varieties, some of the most popular of which are the Swanzee, Artic Sweet, Snow Queen, Firebrite, Fantasia, August Glo and Flaming Red.
Description
Select bright, well-rounded nectarines with shades of deep yellow under a red blush. Ripe fruit should yield to gentle pressure, particularly along the seam, and it should have a sweet fragrance.
Attributes
Both white and yellow flesh nectarines are a good source of vitamin C and dietary fibre. Yellow flesh contains higher levels of beta carotene. The sweetness come from their natural sugar content, most of which is
in the form of sucrose.
Availability
Available September to April
Peaches - Seasonal Core Product
Varieties
Mainly sold by flesh colour - yellow-fleshed or white-fleshed. Some varieties are: Spring Lady, Sweet Scarlet, Desert Red, Red Jenni, Flamecrest, Early O'Henry, Late O'Henry, Merit, Tatura, 211, Oktoberfest and Golden Queen.
Description
Select those which are firm and plump that yield to gentle pressure. Avoid green, extra-hard, bruised or blemished fruit.
Attributes
Peaches are a good source of fibre. They contain vitamin C, beta carotene, folate and iron.
Varieties
There are more than 200 varieties of plums in Australia. Some of the more common varieties are:
Wilson - Small to medium, clingstone plum with a brilliant red to purple skin. Yellow-orange flesh which is soft and sweet.
Santa Rosa - Medium clingstone plum with a deep reddish-crimson skin and yellow, juicy, tart flesh.
Angelina - Small, oval freestone plum with a dark purple skin and yellow, firm, juicy, very sweet flesh.
Narrabeen - Medium to large, round plum with a light red-yellow, mottled skin and pale creamy-white flesh.
Mariposa - A blood plum, which is heart-shaped, medium to large, and maroon-skinned. The soft red flesh has a very sweet flavour and tart
skin.
President - Large oval-shaped deep purple freestone plum, with a heavy blue bloom. Firm, juicy, yellow flesh and a sweet flavour and slightly tart skin.
Description
Plums should be plump and well coloured for their variety. If the fruit yields to gentle pressure, it is ready to eat.
Attributes
Plums contain fructose and sucrose, but most of the sugar is in the form of glucose. They contain moderate amounts of vitamin C and small amounts of other vitamins and minerals as well as soluble fibre.
Varieties
Sold as single bulbs, by colour, or place of origin
Description
Look for garlic sold loose, so you can choose a healthy, solid bulb. Garlic bulbs should be plump and compact with taut, unbroken skin. Avoid those with damp or soft spots. A heavy, firm bulb indicates that the garlic will be fresh and flavourful.
Attributes
Most of the health benefits of garlic derive from the more than 100 sulfur compounds it contains, especially allicin, which is responsible for garlic's scent and flavour. Allicin promises many health benefits and disease fighting properties.
Availability
All year round
Onions - Core Product
Varieties
Pickling onions - Small onions with thin, papery covering on the onion bulb. Either white or brown in colour and are used for pickling. Larger sized onions are sold as brown, white, red or yellow, depending on outside skin colour.
Brown onions - Brown skin and creamy flesh, are usually strongly flavoured and are suitable for cooking.
Yellow onions - Pale form of brown onions with yellowish-brown skin and creamy-white flesh.
White onions - White skin and flesh, are milder than brown onions and are suitable for salads, as well as cooking.
Red onions - Red to purplish-red flesh, and are sometimes called Spanish onions or salad onions. Vary in flavour and can be used raw in salads, as well as being cooked.
Milder forms of onions in various colours are called salad onions and are the most suitable to be used raw. When Onions are harvested before they mature, they are called various names including spring onions, shallots, scallions and green onions. They are used for stir-fries and salads.
Description
Select those which are firm, well-shaped with small necks and dry, papery skin. Avoid spongy or sprouting onions with uneven or patchy skin colouring.
Attributes
Onions contain small quantities of many vitamins and minerals and contribute some dietary fibre.
Varieties
Pumpkin are sold by variety or colour in Australia, however grey pumpkins are usually not sold by variety.
Queensland Blue - a typical grey pumpkin being big, heavily ribbed, with a smooth grey skin and orange flesh. Other grey pumpkins are Jarrahdale, Baby Blue and Ironbark.
Jap - attractive, squat, ribbed pumpkin with grey-green skin mottled with yellow and brown. Flesh is sweet, nutty and yellowish orange.
Butternut - elongated and bell-shaped with smooth creamy-brown skin and orange flesh.
Description
Select those with hard, thick skin which feel heavy for their size. If cut, look for bright yellow-orange flesh which has a sweet, nutty aroma.
Attributes
Pumpkins are rich in fibre, potassium, riboflavin and vitamins C and E. Outstanding amounts of beta carotene can also be found in pumpkins.
