Dutch summer fruits you really need to try

Blueberries

Blueberries are slightly sweet, very tasty and they are full of vitamins and minerals. The harvest period in the Netherlands is from the end of June till around the end of August.

You can find more information on the website of Pluktuinen Zeldenrust (Dutch only): http://www.blauwebessenkwekerij.nl/wp/de-kwekerij/ . Here you can pick your own blueberries.

Pluktuinen Zeldenrust

Wapserauwen 6

7983 KE Wapse

Strawberries

Strawberries are grown throughout the year in the Netherlands. In the cold periods they are grown in greenhouses. But from June / July you can also eat them ‘from the cold ground’, as we say in the Netherlands. These strawberries are grown outdoors in the soil or on special growing tables. And to be honest: these are a lot better than those strawberries from the greenhouse.

You can pick strawberries on many farms and special fruit picking gardens. Van Reeuwijk Fruit & Flowers is an example of such a strawberry picking garden. The strawberry plants grow on long cultivation tables. You do not have to bend your knees before picking. Perfect!

You can find more information on the Van Reeuwijk Fruit & Flowers website (Dutch only): http://www.zelfplukken.nl/

Van Reeuwijk Fruit & Flowers
Hoofdweg 1475
2157 PA Abbenes

Currants

Currants are perhaps a little less popular to eat a lot in one go, because they are quite sour. Currants are often used as a garnish on a dessert. Besides sour, they are very beautiful to see. Very instagrammable 😉. And they are packed with vitamin C, so very healthy.

You can get currants from Dutch soil in the months of June / July. You can pick them at De Stek Lelystad. You can find more information on their website (Dutch only): http://www.desteklelystad.nl

De Stek Lelystad

Jupiterweg 12

8211 AW  Lelystad

Blackberries

You see blackberries a lot in the wild. Along cycle paths or in the forest. In the Netherlands you are not allowed to just go wild-picking without the permission of the landowner. Who the landowner is, is not always clear. Sp it is often difficult to ask the person for permission. In many nature reserves it is Staatsbosbeheer, which ensures that Dutch nature is protected and well maintained.

Blackberry picking is tolerated in many places and during the blackberry period (from the end of July / beginning of August to the end of September / beginning of October) people regularly pick blackberries along the road or in the forest. But you can get a fine for it. That can be over €3000,-! Pick at your own risk!

Watch out! Especially in the forest, blackberries hanging near  the ground can be infected with the fox tapeworm. Especially in the Limburg region, blackberries (and raspberries) are often contaminated with it. Another reason not to pick blackberries from nature.

You can savely pick them at Twentefruit. You can find more information on their website (Dutch only): http://twentefruit.nl/ . In addition to blackberries, you can also pick raspberries and blueberries in their picking garden.

Twentefruit

Kanaalweg 28

7591 NH Noord Deurningen

Cherries

Cherries are my favorite! They are so delicious! When in season (normally June / July) I eat cherries all the time. Cherry season is normally in June / July. But depending on the outdoor temperature, cherry season starts earlier or later. That’s different every year.

You can pick your own cherries at Kersenbedrijf Jo and Monica Schaepkens. You can find more information on their website (Dutch only): https://kersenbedrijfschaepkens.nl/

Kersenbedrijf Schaepkens

Klimmenderstraat 106

6343 AE Klimmen

Raspberries

You can get raspberries from April to September in the grocery store and at the market. There are two types: a summer and an autumn raspberry. They are usually pink, but sometimes you can also buy yellow raspberries.

You can pick them at a special raspberry picking garden. For example at Plukkerij Framblij. In addition to picking the raspberries yourself, you can also buy all kinds of raspberry products in the store, such as raspberry jam and raspberry syrup. You can find more information on the website of Plukkerij Framblij (Dutch only): http://plukkerijframblij.nl/

Plukkerij Framblij

Zwartendijk 11

2681 LM Monster

Plums

Who doesn’t like juicy plums? There are various types available, such as the Victoria and the Jubilee. Most plums are harvested in August / September.

Picking plums yourself is possible at Zelfpluktuin Wiering. You can find more information about the self-picking on their website (Dutch only): http://www.zelfplukfruittuin.nl/

Zelfpluktuin Wiering

Zwaagdijk 212

1682 NP Zwaagdijk

Apricots, peaches and nectarines

In Dutch summer period you will find al lot of apricots, peaches and nectarines in Dutch grocery stores and on the market. Although these fruits can grow in the Netherlands, the Dutch climate is not very ideal for growth. That is why they are not grown commercially.

You will therefore not find apricots, peaches and nectarines grown in the Netherland at the grocery store. But maybe you know a Dutch local with an apricot, peach or nectarine tree who wants to share his or her delicious harvest with you. Then you are really lucky. Very lucky 😉