The Victorian love of fruits is a reminder of the day when such produce was seasonal. Victorians couldn't hope to get frozen strawberries in September, or imported apples in February (though a thrifty cook might well put away various fruit preserves for the winter). In the country, one raised a variety of fruits in the kitchen garden; for town-dwellers, cooking articles often provided helpful advice on what types of fruits to select from the greengrocer.

Directions for Preserving Fruits, etc. (Godey's, 1863)

Directions for Preserving Fruits, etc. (Godey's, 1867)

Apples as Food (Demorest, 1882)

Apples for breakfast, apples for dinner... Apple Sauce, Apple Custard, Apple Pudding, Apple Snow, Apple Tart... these are just a few of the tantalizing offerings for apple-lovers!

Apples, and What to Do With Them, by Phillis Browne (Girl's Own Paper, 1884)

A host of mouthwatering apple recipes, including Compote, Apple Fritters, Apple Charlotte, Apple Gateau and Apple Custard.

Rhubarb, by Phillis Browne (Girl's Own Paper, 1884)

Seasonable Snacks (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1887)

Among the recommended snacks for winter are a variety of apple desserts.

Divers Ways of Cooking Apples (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1888)

Recipes for Apple Trifle, Pippin Tarts, Apple Marmalade, Pommes Glacees, Apple Pudding and more.

June Jottings - Table Delicacies, by Laura Willis Lathrop (Ingalls' Home Magazine, 1888)

'Tis the season for strawberries and raspberries, for which this article offers some delicious-sounding recipes.

Some Charming Dishes (Girl's Own Paper, 1888)

Charming indeed, including a Casserole of French Plums, a German Apple Tart, Snow Pudding, and Pineapple Fritters.

Late Fancies in Table Appointments; June Fruits & Vegetables, by Laura Willis Lathrop (Ingalls' Home Magazine, 1889)

A look at new fashions in table services (colored glass is giving way to cut glass!), along with fruit and vegetable recipes recipes for June.

Fruit as Food (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1890)

Blackberries, and How to Use Them, by Phyllis Browne (Girl's Own Paper, 1891)

Recipes for jams and jellies, plus a delightful quote on how to tell whether blackberries on the vine are actually ripe (not just black)!

All About Oranges, by Phyllis Browne (Girl's Own Paper, 1892)

In the 1890's, Britain imported nearly 32,000 tons of oranges every year; here are some delicious things to do with this wonderful fruit, from marmalades to orange creams.

Fruit Salads (Girl's Own Paper, 1892)

Some tasty offerings perfect for hot summer months.

Strawberries, by Phyllis Browne (Girl's Own Paper, 1892)

Strawberry jam, strawberry jelly, jellied strawberries, strawberry cream, strawberry shortcake, and a host of other recipes for this delicious spring fruit.

Dainty Orange Dishes (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1895)

Orange Cake, Orange Pudding, Orange Sauce, Orange Butter, Orange Trifle and Tangerine Creams.

Ways of Serving Strawberries, by Mary J. Safford (Ladies Home Journal, 1896)

Oranges: The Poor Man's Fruit, by Lina Orman Cooper (Girl's Own Paper, 1897)

In addition to recipes, this article shows how to make an orange "waterlily" and an orange-peel basket for sweets.

Some Novel Methods of Using Strawberries (Girl's Own Paper, 1897)

Fruit Puddings, by Constance (Girl's Own Paper, 1899)

New Dried Fruits, by Dora de Blaquière (Girl's Own Paper, 1899)

In 1899, dried apricots, apples, plums, etc. were "very modern and recent gifts to a grateful world" -- and this article explains how to cook with them.

The Lemon and Its Varied Uses (Girl's Own Paper, 1901)

Not just for lemonade - lemons can be used in table decorations, as a daily tonic, and even as a cure for rheumatism! Recipes include lemon sherbert and lemon cheesecake.

An Appreciation of Apples, by Lucy Helen Yates (Girl's Own Paper, 1902)