Have you ever noticed that some restaurants have the same menu items all year? While it's convenient to order your favorite dish whenever you want, it can also be boring, lacking in flavor and nutrition. Fortunately, many great restaurants focus on seasonal ingredients, meaning their menus change frequently based on local availability. Want to know why seasons matter for your food? Read on to find out.         

Seasonal Ingredients Are Fresher 

Seasonal ingredients matter because they provide freshness and variety you can't get from dishes made with ingredients available all year round. Seasonal food is allowed to ripen naturally on the vine or tree. In contrast, out-of-season foods are often picked before they are ripe and go through storage and transportation processes like freezing to preserve them- lending to a blander and less nutritious result. Fruits and vegetables picked at the peak of ripeness will always have a better and bolder flavor than those shipped long distances and stored for weeks. 

Seasonal Ingredients Support Your Local Community 

Unlike large agricultural companies that produce non-seasonal ingredients, seasonal ingredients also support local farmers. When you purchase seasonal ingredients, you directly support the people who grow your food. Choosing to spend your hard-earned money on the work of local farmers rather than huge chain corporations helps to create a stronger community and economy.

Seasonal Ingredients Are More Affordable 

Another benefit of seasonal ingredients is that they are typically more affordable than non-seasonal ingredients. Seasonal ingredients are grown locally, so farmers don't incur transportation and shipping costs. Additionally, when crops are in season, there is typically an abundance, which leads to lower prices. 

Seasonal Ingredients Are Better for the Environment

Seasonal ingredients are also better for the environment than non-seasonal ingredients. Local, seasonal ingredients often require less energy to grow and transport and less packaging. Additionally, seasonal crops are typically grown using sustainable methods, such as crop rotation, which helps to improve soil health and reduce water pollution.

Seasonal Ingredients Promote Healthy Eating Habits 

Seasonal ingredients promote healthy eating habits by encouraging people to eat foods that are in season. When people are more aware of what fruits and vegetables are in season, they are more likely to incorporate them into their diet. Seasonal eating has been shown to improve overall health by providing the body with the nutrients it needs, helping to diversify your diet, and getting you more in touch with the earth's natural rhythms. Seasonal produce is more likely to retain nutrients, which is delicious and healthy for you, too! 

If You Want to Try Delicious Seasonal Ingredients, Head to Hamp & Harry’s!

Restaurant goers, take note: Seasonal ingredients are worth seeking out. At Hamp & Harry's, we know the importance of using fresh seasonal ingredients. So, if you are looking for a fresh and delicious lunch in Marietta, visit Hamp & Harry's.  Our chefs design our menus around seasonal produce cycles so you can get the most flavor and nutrition possible out of your meal. Visit our Marietta square restaurant and enjoy the taste of seasonal ingredients at their best!