Now Forage

Fig: Hangs heavily and droops at the neck; skin softens and may split. A sweet drop of nectar at the base eye and the absence of white sap at the stem confirm ripeness. Pick with a gentle twist.

Kumquat: Deep orange-gold; eaten whole — the sweet rind offsets the tart flesh. Ripe when uniformly orange, slightly soft, and very fragrant. The entire fruit is edible raw.

Lemon: Fully yellow with no green remaining; skin slightly glossy and gives a little when squeezed. Heavy for its size indicates juiciness. Unlike most fruit, lemons can hang on the tree for months once ripe without deteriorating.

Orange: Fully orange skin (can be green-tinged in warm climates and still ripe). Heavy for its size, with a smooth, slightly glossy skin. Scratch and sniff — a sweet orange smell confirms ripeness. Navel oranges develop the distinctive navel opposite the stem.

Pomegranate: Skin turns from pale orange to deep red; fruit becomes angular and the blossom end flattens slightly as arils expand. Tap the skin — a ripe pomegranate sounds metallic. Heavy for its size. A slight crack at the shoulder is fine. Do not wait for it to fall.

Rosemary: Evergreen herb — harvest sprigs year-round. Young, bright green shoot tips have the most flavour. Harvest in the morning after dew dries. Flowers (blue-purple) appear spring through early summer and are edible as a garnish.