During the winter months in South Africa, we see our fruits disappear and we prepare for an overload of comfort food and soups. But this doesn’t mean we should steer away from the fruit section at the grocery store. The winter fruits there are still in abundance, trust us!

By Taryn Wilson

Get those healthy helpings by taking a look at the current in-season fruits, as well as some yummy water infusions to keep you hydrated this winter.

WHAT’S IN SEASON THIS WINTER?

– Apples
– Cucumber
– Grapefruit
– Lemons
– Limes
– Melons
– Naartjies
– Oranges
– Pawpaws

OUR FAVOURITE WINTER-FUSIONS

1. Watermelon and mint water

INGREDIENTS
4 cups of watermelon, cut into cubes
6 sprigs mint
2 L still water

METHOD
1. Place watermelon and mint into a jug.
2. Add water and refrigerate for 2-4 hours.
3. When ready, stir the water and strain, discarding the solid pieces.
4. To serve, add some fresh watermelon and mint into the water with lots of ice.

2. Orange, lemon and cucumber water

INGREDIENTS
1.5 – 2 L still water
1 large cucumber, washed and sliced
1 lemon, sliced
1 large orange, sliced

METHOD
1. Fill a jug with the still water.
2. Add the cucumber, lemon and orange and stir well.
3. Allow to infuse overnight in the fridge.

3. Rosemary and grapefruit

INGREDIENTS
½ grapefruit, sliced
6 sprigs rosemary
1 L still water

METHOD
1. Add the grapefruit and rosemary to a jug.
2. Add the water and stir.
3. Allow to infuse in the fridge overnight.

4. Mojito water

INGREDIENTS
2 L still water
3 lemons, 2 sliced and 1 juiced
6 sprigs mint
Ice

METHOD
1. Add water, lemons, lemon juice and mint to a jug.
2. Stir and allow to infuse in the fridge for 2-4 hours.
3. Add ice and serve.

5. Pear vanilla water

INGREDIENTS
1 pear, sliced
1 cinnamon stick
½ vanilla bean
1 L still water

METHOD
1. Place pear, cinnamon and vanilla bean into a jug.
2. Add the water and stir.
3. Refrigerate for at least an hour before use.

6. Apple cinnamon water

INGREDIENTS
1 apple, thinly sliced
1 cinnamon stick
500 ml still water
1 tsp honey
Ice

METHOD
1. Place apple and cinnamon in a jug.
2. Add the water and honey, then stir together.
3. Place in the fridge for at least an hour.
4. Fill the rest of the jug with ice and serve.

Image: Unsplash