What's In Season - The Blog

Finest British white and purple asparagus is now available in our Glasgow stores.  

We think its essential for brands to be responsible and fair to their suppliers in developing countries. Nobody should be taken advantage of in their place of work and everyone should be paid fairly.

So, since its World Fair Trade Day today, we're highlighting some of our favourite products that carry the Fair Trade symbol. 

Dr. Bronner Organic Castile Liquid Soap

Certified as Fair Trade in 2007, this iconic organic soap company was initially founded in 1948 by Emil Bronner, whose progressive beliefs and quality products have always been a favourite of ours. Not only is Dr Bronner's Fair Trade, but they operate a zero waste strategy and always view profits second to their positive message, the welfare of their staff and suppliers.

Dr. Bronner's Pure-Castile Bar Soaps

Otto Chocolates
Seed And Bean Organic Chocolates - Chilli and Lime
Seed And Bean Organic Chocolates - Lemon Poppy Seed
Seed And Bean Organic Chocolates - Espresso
Seed And Bean Organic Chocolates - Cornish Sea Salt
Seed And Bean Organic Chocolates - Lavender 
Divine Fairtrade Chocolates 40g - White
Divine Fairtrade Chocolates 40g - Dark
Divine Fairtrade Chocolates 40g - Caramel
Equal Exchange Organic Chocolate - Caramel
Equal Exchange Organic Chocolate - Very Dark

We don't mess around when it comes to chocolate! Most of these are vegan and organic, too. Seed and Bean Chocolates are a UK company who are super focused on making their products ethical but also create some of the most original and tasty flavours like Lemon and Poppy Seed or Lavender! They make small batches of their chocolates and by using organic ingredients they're not only good for you and the environment but long term it actually works out cheaper for their suppliers!

Coco Zumi Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
Traidcraft Fair Trade Honeys
Traidcraft Organic Orange Marmalade
Traidcraft Organic Strawberry Jam

Traidcraft are an incredible organisation who are dedicated to eradicating poverty through trading fairly with farmers and growers in developing countries. This charitable company don't only trade fairly, but they provide their suppliers with the right skills, knowledge and confidence to grow their endeavours and businesses. 

Hampstead Tea Organic Divine Earl Grey
Clipper Organic Earl Grey Tea
Clipper Tea 40 Bags
Clipper Organic Assam Tea
Pukka Organic 'Taste Alive' Teas - Rooibos & Honeybush
Pukka Organic 'Taste Alive' Teas - Star Anise & Cinnamon
Clipper Citrus & Aloe Vera Green Tea
Clipper Pure Green Tea
Clipper Citrus & Echinacea Green Tea
Suki Teas - Earl Grey Blue Flower
Suki Teas - Belfast Brew

Equal Exchange Dark City Roast Fresh Ground Coffee
Equal Exchange Women Farmers Roast & Ground Coffee 
Equal Exchange Organic Cashew Butter
Equal Exchange Organic Dark Tahini
Equal Exchange Organic Clear Honey
Equal Exchange Organic Chocolate - Caramel
Equal Exchange Organic Chocolate - Very Dark

The Equal Exchange is a company founded in Scotland in the late 1970s, when its founders were on an aid trip to Africa and it was revealed that coffee farmers were unable to sustain or profit from their work. With a growing trend in the western world for coffee, the team behind the Equal Exchange began fairly importing coffee beans from Tanzania and Nicaragua and selling them in the UK. This venture has since grown to fairly traded and fully traceable oils, sugars, cocoa, honey and nuts and most recently they have begun the project Grown by Women, with the simple yet essential belief that all "women should have the same access to choices, income and training as men."

Pick up some essentials in preparation of Cinco de Mayo - whether its a vegan quesadilla, spicy chocolate or zesty drinks - we've got some ideas for you.

Montezuma's Organic Milk Chocolates (Various Flavours)
Montezuma's Organic Dark Chocolates (Various Flavours)

Amaizin Organic Wheat Flour Tortilla Wraps
Vegusto No-Moo Melty Vegan Cheese

Firefly Revitalising Juice Drinks

Suma Organic Sweetcorn
Suma Organic Red Kidney Beans
Suma Organic Black Beans

Gomo Chopped Tomatoes

Vivid Matcha Drink With Lime, Ginger And Honey

Purple Sprouting Brocolli 
As well as being beautiful to look at, this veg' is packed with vitamins and minerals.

Spanish Strawberries
In season slightly early this year is the much-adored strawb'! Lucky for us in Scotland, we've had a few brighter days to enjoy them in the sun!

Hispy Cabbages
Also known as sweetheart cabbages, these are beautifully fragrant and rich with iron. After giving them a good steam, we recommend slathering them in butter and adding a small squeeze of lemon juice.

Plums
Deliciously sweet plums fresh in store! 

New Potatoes
The super versatile new potato is perfect in spring salads.

Cauliflower 
Growing in popularity by the day, we have the cauliflower - with cheese, steamed, stir fried, riced or blended and baked into a carb-free crust - the possibilities are endless!

Outdoor English Rhubarb
It's surprisingly easy to cook rhubarb so if you haven't already, now is the time to prepare a crumble, compote or other sweet pud'.

Peas
Crunchy and sweet, fresh peas in a pod are a tasty snack but also a great accompaniment for any meal! 

Wild Garlic
Its prime time for Wild Garlic! This underrated, mellow cousin of traditional garlic is wonderful in everything from omelettes, risottos and even in a pesto.

Find us 457 Great Western Road or 1137 Argyle Street and stock up with these seasonal gems. 

"In this ideal world, we'd be looking for a couple of places to pick up the bulk of our groceries – local produce, reasonable prices, you know the drill. Roots and Fruits and Peckhams in the West End of Glasgow both fit the bill, with Roots leading the charge on the fruit and veg front. They encourage you to get what you need for the day, on the day, to cut down waste and help you eat the freshest food you can. Handily, there is an actual greengrocer with years of experience running the place to recommend seasonal produce and give you ideas on what to do with it once you get home, and the adjoining deli can hook you up with delicious fresh bread and pastries."

We received a lovely write up online and in print in this month's The Skinny as part of their 2017 food and drink survey!
We're also very pleased to have been voted as one of Scotland's best food & drink shops again this year!
Read the whole article here.

ROOTS & FRUITS FRESH

Clementines
These juicy, leafy delights are packed with essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals such as vitamin c and magnesium. Pick up 5 for £1 from our fruit & veg shops this month.

Chestnuts

Chestnuts are not only a comforting Christmas staple but they're also packed with minerals and vitamins and they're high in fibre. Join in the festive tradition of roasting them to sweeten their naturally bitter flavour.

Organic Walnuts

Nutcrackers at the ready! Trust us, these French beauties taste amazing. Pick them up from our wholefoods & organics shop this month.

ROOTS & FRUITS ONLINE

Chiostro Di Saronno Panettone

A Christmas classic, these little panettone cakes with their delicious candied fruits make great stocking fillers. Order them online here.

Merry Moo Selection Box

A dairy-free December can be fun, festive and full of chocolate too! Get your little ones a Merry Moo Selection Box, full of tasty dairy-free chocolate bars. Order online here.

ROOTS & FRUITS FLOWER SHOP 

Fresh Handmade Wreaths

Bring home the warmth of the festive season with one of our beautiful bespoke Christmas wreaths. Our florists will arrange a blend of fresh festive pine and dress each wreath with a selection of fragrant dried fruits, cinnamon sticks, holly berries, pine cones and other decorations (We have different colour/style options) Tied with satin ribbon, they're ready for you to take home and hang on your door! Order now.

There's few things that lift the spirit more than like the feeling of walking into a home that’s filled with the scent of freshly cut pine.

So, aye. It's that time of the year again. We're happy to announce that our Christmas tree shop is again filled with tall, bushy, heavenly scented fir trees from Scotland!

We have beautiful Nordman firs from Dumfries, grown following organic principles and unsprayed by chemicals - they've also just been cut this week so will be some of the freshest trees in town!

We also have smaller potted Nordmans, larger premium versions and even some 10ft gold label monsters!

Come by our store and take a look where you'll also find stands and advice on how to take care of your tree.

Opening times:

Monday to Sunday from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

Along with their popular bespoke winter bouquets and fresh handmade wreaths, this December our florists will also be making a range of beautiful festive table and vase arrangements - perfect for the Christmas dinner table or to give to someone as a festive gift!

You can now take a look at some of the creations and place your order via the new flower shop website!

www.rootsfruitsflowershop.com

It's the last week of Organic September so we've picked out a few of our favourite organic products stocked both in our wholefoods & organic store and our online shop for you to try!

Coco Zumi

Coco Zumi's natural organic coconut water is derived straight from young tender green coconuts, packaged at source by local agricultural co-operatives. Organic and Fair Trade certified, Coco Zumi are committed to community developments and ensuring that their producers get the best deal.
We've got 15% off Coco Zumi Coconut Oil & Waters at the moment, you can order them here.

Almighty Foods

Dundee based Almighty Foods use authentic old school methods to craft a range of nutritious & organic plant based foods. We stock a selection of their ethically sourced, delicious gourmet nut butters and tasty raw chocolate bars which are also suitable for vegans.
Shop Almighty Foods Products

Seed and Bean

Delicious organic chocolates made from The Dominican's finest selected Trinitario cocoa and produced locally in small batches in Northamptonshire, England.
'At Seed and Bean we believe in courageous chocolate. We spend hours in our kitchen mixing flavours from nature to transform the simplicity of a pure cocoa bean into what we like to call kaleidoscopic moments of pleasure; some will be easy on the palette, some will be quite unusual, others will rocket your taste buds, but whatever takes your fancy we promise that chocolate will never be a dull experience again!'
Shop Seed & Bean

Pukka Herbs

The popular UK-based Pukka's family of organic herbal teas and supplements company are all firmly rooted in the principles of organic farming. We stock a number of their impressive range of teas and we've just recently started selling their wholistic tumeric capsules.

WholisticTM Turmeric is a broad-spectrum formula that contains the highest organic grade, sustainably cultivated and fairly traded herbs, carefully selected to bring you the full potential of nature’s goodness. Pukka Wholistic Turmeric retains curcuminoids, turmeric essential oils and a full range of turmeric actives.
Shop Pukka products.