The Fruitsy 100

Play the fruit market like the experts

Buy now!!

Pomegranates (4RMB/jin) Into their seasonal peak now, it’s the best time to snap up pomegranates: 4RMB/jin is as cheap as this fruit is going to get. Green dates (2.5RMB/jin) Set to disappear in november, buy this healthy, crunchy and now cheaper (they’re usually 3.30RMB/ jin) snack while you still can.

Buy!

Pears (2.5RMB/jin) ’Tis the season for pears, which locals love because they’re supposedly good for the lungs. Eat yours fresh or boil them in water with white fungus like the locals do.Grapes (from 3RMB/jin) You get grapes all year round, but it’s the end of summer when more varieties appear.

Look out for variants such as rose-scented (4RMB/jin), dragon eye (3RMB/jin) and milk grapes (3RMB/jin).

Honeydew melons (4RMB/jin) With watermelon disappearing off the shelves, the sweet honeydew melon is a good (if pricey) substitute for a juicy bite.

Hold out

Oranges (3RMB/jin) While the price of oranges has halved from September’s price of 6RMB/jin, it’s better to buy when winter properly sets in and more delicious and juicy varieties appear.

Zhao Xiuyun’s stall can be found at the outdoor fruit and vegetable market south-west of the French Cultural Centre on Gongti Nan Lu. Open 8am-2pm daily.