Never Buy These Fruits And Vegetables Out Of Season

Fresh produce tastes best when it's in season. Out-of-season fruits and vegetables often cost more, travel farther, and lose flavor along the way. While it’s tempting to buy them year-round, some are better enjoyed when nature provides them at their peak.

Here are a few fruits worth waiting for if you want the most flavorful and cost-efficient options.

Asparagus

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Deb Cohn-Orbach/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
Deb Cohn-Orbach/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Asparagus is at its best in spring. When it's out of season, it’s usually flown in from far away and loses its tenderness.

Fresh, local asparagus has a crisp snap and mild sweetness that’s hard to find at other times of the year. Patience pays off when it comes to asparagus.

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Blueberries

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Sina Schuldt/picture alliance via Getty Images
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Blueberries are sweeter and juicier when harvested in mid to late summer. Out-of-season berries can be sour, mushy, or overly expensive.

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Frozen blueberries are a better choice when they're not in season, since they’re picked at peak ripeness and keep their flavor well.

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Green Beans

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Edwin Remsburg/VW Pics via Getty Images
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Green beans grown in season are tender and full of flavor. Off-season beans often taste woody or limp after long transport.

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Buying them fresh in summer means better texture and taste. If you crave them out of season, frozen ones are usually a better option.

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Strawberries

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Armin Weigel/picture alliance via Getty Images
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Strawberries grown out of season often look perfect but taste bland. They're usually picked before ripening and shipped long distances.

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Fresh, local strawberries in spring and early summer are sweeter, juicier, and definitely worth the wait.

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Corn

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Photo by Scott Suchman; food styling by Lisa Cherkasky/Both for The Washington Post via Getty Images
Photo by Scott Suchman; food styling by Lisa Cherkasky/Both for The Washington Post via Getty Images
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Sweet corn loses its natural sugars quickly after harvest. Out-of-season corn is often tough and starchy.

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Fresh, local corn in late summer is crisp, juicy, and flavorful. Buying it in season makes a big difference, whether you're grilling, boiling, or cutting it off the cob.

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Peaches

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Matteo Della Torre/NurPhoto via Getty Images
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Peaches ripened on the tree are soft, fragrant, and juicy. When bought out of season, they can be firm, dry, and bland.

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Imported peaches can’t match the taste of those grown locally in late summer.

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Watermelon

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Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images
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Watermelon's sweetness depends on warm weather and sunlight. Out-of-season melons are often bland and watery.

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In summer, they’re juicy, crisp, and full of flavor. Waiting until peak season is worth it for the refreshing warm-weather treat.

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Tomatoes

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Winter tomatoes are pale and watery compared to their summer counterparts. They're often grown in greenhouses or shipped unripe, which affects taste and texture.

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In-season tomatoes are rich, vibrant, and full of natural sweetness. It’s worth waiting for summer to enjoy their true flavor.

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Worth The Wait

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Kena Betancur/Bloomberg via Getty Images
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Eating produce in season means better taste, lower prices, and less waste. When fruits and vegetables grow naturally, they develop their full flavor and texture.

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Choosing seasonal produce supports local farmers and makes your meals more enjoyable. Waiting for the right time of year is a simple way to eat fresher and smarter.