Explainers

A quick grower with a pleasing flavour, the red beard onion truly delivers – in both name and nature, writes Mat Pember.

This juicy, golden fruit spells summer. Serve it in a slushie, a salad or a dessert for an instant lift of sweetness.

Butcher Richard Gunner is on hand to explain the differences between bavette, onglet and queue de boeuf.

These harbingers of spring are now in their prime – blanch, roast or throw them on the barbie to bring out their best flavour.

Every bit of this tall leafy herb can be eaten - Lennox Hastie says it adds a musky spice when scattered over eggs or cooked in pasta dough.

Powerhouses of flavour, olives add punch to any savoury dish, brightening the likes of braises, sauces and more.

Venturing beyond the mass-produced plant varieties brings fruitful rewards, says Mat Pember, as he introduces the pineapple tomato.

They're not called prickly for nothing, and peeling a prickly pear isn't quite as straightforward as other fruits - providore John Velluti walks us through it.

Served hot or cold, these buckwheat noodles are a smart standby for making fast and tasty one-bowl meals.

Red mizuna welcomes winter's chill. Plant while it's still cold for many happy returns, writes Mat Pember.