Our Island’s Seasonal Fruit Delights
Cyprus’ sunshine provides the ideal climate for vegetation, including a wide variety of mouthwatering fruits. “Throughout the year there will always be selection of seasonal choices.
There’s nothing better than heading to the sea with a bunch of fresh fruits during the summer, most of which were picked directly from rural villages.
MyCyprusTravel has made a list of which seasonal fruits you shouldn’t miss while visiting the island, as well as where they are primarily grown! The best place to purchase these are either at local markets or at the little stalls set up on the side of the road. Enjoy!
Summer Fruits
Watermelon
Cyprus summers begin with watermelons.
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 Paralimni, Akaki and Paphos.
Other Melons
Other local melons ripen at the same time as watermelons, starting at the beginning of May, with the most succulent ones available in midsummer.
Apricot
Local apricots initially appear early in June and continue to ripen throughout June and July. There is a local variety of apricots called ‘Kaisha’; these are considered to be the best type. They are small and bright yellow with just a hint of pink.
Nectarine and Peach
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!
Cherry
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. The well-known cherry plantations in the Troodos Mountains can be found in the villages of Kambos, Platres and Agros.
Fig
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.
Prickly Pear
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!
Grape
It goes without saying that grapes are found in abundance on the island, with some prevalent local varieties that can only be found on 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.
Strawberry
The main strawberry plantations are found in the Famagusta and Limassol regions, 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!
Autumn Fruits
Mango and Papaya
Relative newcomers to the local fruit selection, a couple of villages within the Paphos region have become known for their papayas and mangoes. These are collected at the end of September.
The local mangoes are very green (as opposed to the orange/green ones from Brazil and Peru) and small. Even though they are of an exotic temperament, they have proven their ability to grow well here and are very tasty!
Pomegranate
Pomegranates in Cyprus are eaten raw and are also used in various dishes such as salads and sweets or for their juice. Their season begins in October.
Cyprus’ pomegranates are surprisingly sweet, with small, soft seeds.
Guava
During late September, guavas are available and are popular because they are known to be loaded with vitamin C.
Winter Fruits
Citrus Fruit and Banana
Complementing the array of fruit on the island, citrus fruits and bananas start becoming available in December. Bananas are solely grown in the Paphos area, while citrus fruits are found in abundance across the island.
There is a large variety of very tasty citrus fruit including lemons, limes, several varieties of tangerine, pomelos and other native species.
