🫛Beans & Peas
Beans and peas love the mild days of spring and early summer in Victoria. Whether you’re adding crunch to a salad, blanching for a side, or showcasing seasonal sugar snaps, these pods deliver freshness and texture.
While machine-picked beans are more economical, hand-picked varieties offer better appearance, tenderness, and overall eating quality — making them a chef’s first choice. Bean pricing can spike at a moments notice especially during winter when supply is limited.
Peak Season: September to February
Off Season: Supplied from QLD or imported – availability and quality vary, prices will surge
Common & readily available varieties: Green Beans, Snow Peas, Sugar Snaps, Garden Peas
Speciality Varieties: Borlotti Beans, Flat Beans, Snake Beans
Storage tips: Keep unwashed in a produce bag or sealed container in the fridge. Best used within 3–5 days for optimal crunch.
| BEANS & PEAS | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green Beans | 🟠 OK | 🟠 OK | 🟡 Good |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟡 Good | 🟠 OK | 🟠 OK |
| Broad Beans | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🟠 OK |
🟡 Good | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟡 Good | 🟠 OK | 🔴 Poor |
| Snow Peas | 🟠 OK | 🟠 OK | 🟡 Good |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟡 Good | 🟠 OK | 🟠 OK |
| Sugar Snap Peas | 🟠 OK | 🟠 OK | 🟡 Good |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟡 Good | 🟠 OK | 🟠 OK |
| Butter Beans | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🟠 OK |
🟡 Good | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟡 Good | 🟠 OK | 🔴 Poor |
| Yellow Beans | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🟠 OK |
🟡 Good | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟡 Good | 🟠 OK | 🔴 Poor |
| Purple Beans | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🟠 OK |
🟡 Good | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟡 Good | 🟠 OK | 🔴 Poor |
| Flat Beans | 🟠 OK | 🟠 OK | 🟡 Good |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟡 Good | 🟠 OK | 🟠 OK |
| Borlotto Beans | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🟠 OK |
🟡 Good | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟡 Good | 🟠 OK | 🔴 Poor |
| Black Beans | 🔴 Poor | 🔴 Poor | 🟠 OK |
🟡 Good | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟢 Best | 🟢 Best | 🟢 Best |
🟡 Good | 🟠 OK | 🔴 Poor |
🟢 Best Quality, Stable Price & Locally-Grown
Peak-season local produce at its freshest and most affordable. Excellent flavour, long shelf life, and reliable availability. Ideal for premium menus and consistent plating.
🟡 Good Quality, Variable Price
Often sourced from interstate. Still high quality, but pricing can shift depending on supply volumes and freight. A solid option with manageable cost.
🟠 OK - Variable Quality, Volatile Pricing
Typically freighted from distant states (QLD, WA or NT). Quality may be inconsistent, and pricing often fluctuates based on weather, fuel, and logistics. Use with caution in cost-sensitive menus.
🔴 Poor - Limited Supply, High Cost, and Imported
Availability is low or highly unpredictable. Often imported from overseas, resulting in shorter shelf life, lower flavour, and premium pricing. Suitable only for specialised or non-negotiable menu items.