Manhattan Fruit Market offers a wide array of fruits and vegetables. Many of these are items you won’t spot in typical grocery stores. The market has it all, from delicious seasonal apples to exotic fruits. You’ll also find cheese, dairy products, pantry staples, dried fruits, spices, nuts, candy, chocolate, and beverages. It’s a fantastic spot to fill your basket with tasty, healthy food and everyday snack options. Read more on manhattanname.
Located in a Culinary Hub
This unique fruit and vegetable haven is located in Chelsea Market, one of the largest indoor food and retail marketplaces in the world. The market’s diverse vendors create a vibrant hub where you can primarily buy meat, fish, cheeses, imported Italian dry goods, and more. Attracting an average of 6 million domestic and international visitors annually, it’s one of New York City’s most frequented destinations.
This area has always been a food epicenter in the city. Long ago, Native Americans traded their game here, and the High Line railway once served butchers who stood by the tracks, cooling their goods with ice blocks from the Hudson River. Chelsea Market was built in the 1890s and originally served as the National Biscuit Company (Nabisco) factory complex. Interestingly, this is where the famous Oreo cookie was born. The complex was redeveloped in the 1990s and now features a retail concourse on the ground floor with office spaces above.
Manhattan Fruit Market’s Most Popular Items
While the market is packed with exotic fruits and vegetables, these are some of the items shoppers choose most often:
- Hass Avocado: A variety with dark green, bumpy skin. It was cultivated by Rudolph Hass, a Southern California mailman and amateur horticulturist. This large fruit typically weighs 200–300 grams (about 7-10.5 ounces). When ripe, its flesh is pale green near the skin and a richer yellow-green in the center. Thanks to its taste, size, shelf life, high yield, and, in some regions, year-round harvest, the Hass is the world’s most popular avocado variety. In the U.S., it accounts for over 80% of the avocado crop.
- Broccoli: Native to Asia Minor and the Eastern Mediterranean, this relative of cauliflower was cultivated by the Romans. While long popular in Italian and French gardens, it only gained recognition outside these countries in the early 20th century.
- Yellow Banana: Unlike its green counterpart, a yellow banana is ripe. It’s soft and sweet, containing less starch and more sugar than a green banana. Yellow bananas are easy to digest and provide a quick energy boost.
- Cilantro: This herb, with its aromatic citrusy flavor, is a popular ingredient in a wide range of cuisines, including Indian, Latin American, French, Greek, and Caribbean, among others. Cilantro is rich in antioxidants, which help reduce inflammation in the body.
- Lime: This hybrid citrus fruit from the Rutaceae family, originating in India, is genetically similar to lemons. Consuming limes can help strengthen blood vessel walls, improve blood circulation, and reduce the risk of blood clots.
- Green and White Onions: Green onions (often called scallions) are primarily used as a garnish. They pair well with soups and are suitable for stir-frying. White onions have a crispier, sharper taste, making them an excellent ingredient for pasta dishes and salsas.
- Strawberries: Used in cocktails, desserts, and even salads, strawberries don’t just delight our taste buds; they are also a source of nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
- Red Bell Pepper: Another low-calorie nutritional powerhouse, red bell peppers are high in vitamins A and C, which boost immune function and promote healthy skin.