Fruit flies - how to get rid of them!

We love fruit (obviously!) and all the benefits it brings, but from time to time the nectars from the gods attract some devilish friends that leave a bitter taste in mouths of office workers across the country.

We're talking about fruit flies of course! Fruit flies are those dainty little creatures that seem to float, rather than fly causing annoyance to all and sundry. The pesky little things rarely confine themselves to one area of the office, drifiting their way into every nook, cranny and desk available.

Here's how to get rid of fruit flies from your office:

• Eat all the fruit! Fruit flies are generally attracted to fruit that has been left lying around, and seeing as prevention is always better than a cure the best thing to do is to gobble it up. Got half the office out for holidays? Contact us to reduce your office fruit delivery, even for just a week, to prevent waste!
• Remember, fruit isn't the only culprit. Anything sweet and sticky can attract fruit flies, so make sure sugary drinks and sauces are cleaned up and put away.
• Once you're cleaned up and have eaten all the fruit, you may still need to deal with the army of fruit flies that have invaded your office. This is where the traps come in:
• Put out half a glass of wine - never ones to encourage wasting alcohol, desperate times call for desperate measure. The flies will flock to the wine, then you can dispose of them all!
• Burn some incense - fruit flies don't like the thick smoky air so will head for the nearest exit (be sure to leave a window open) or meet their timely death. 
• Use fresh bait - take a piece of overripe fruit and place it in a bowl or jar. Cover with a piece of cling film - make sure it is taut then poke some holes in the film with a fork. The fruit flies will find their way in but will then be trapped. 

Got any top tips to get rid of fruit flies? Let us know office_fruit 

History of Strawberries & Cream

Strawberries and cream is iconic, and quintessentially British, and are a symbol of the arrival of British Summertime. Each year during the Wimbledon season we consume an average of 20 tonnes of strawberries, and around 7000 litres of cream. Now that's a lot! So where exactly did this refreshing, sweet summer pudding come from, and what connection does it have to Wimbledon?

In the Tudor Era, Thomas Wolsey was close to King Henry VIII and he began building  a riverside des res, known today as Hampton Court. The kitchens within Hampton Court were one of the largest in England at the time, and were responsible for serving food for up to 600 guests twice a day. To save time, they wanted create some quick, easy desserts. During this era, the idea of adding fresh cream to strawberries was born, which at the time was an expected choice as dairy products were considered a food for the poor.

It is thought that King George V was the one to introduce strawberries and cream to Wimbledon in the early 1900's. While we do not know exactly why they started being served, strawberries were only available at that time of year, and in the lat 1800's they were a fashionable fruit to eat.

Add Wimbledon Strawberries & cream to your basket now.

Do you love strawberries and cream? Let us know @office_fruit

Meet the Team - Our Apprentice

In this week's Meet the Team, we talk with Ellie, our office apprentice! Find out what she can do in 30 seconds....!

What is your job title? 
Customer Service Apprentice

What do you do every day at work?
I place regular orders for customers, and speak to customers on the phone or email to solve any isues or queries they may have.

How long have you been with FFTO?
7 months

What is your go-to breakfast? 
Chocolate square bar or Weetabix

What do you do as soon as you get into work?
Turn on my computer and load my emails and necessary admin websites

Lunch at your desk, or lunch out?
Lunch at my desk!

What's your favourite fruit?
Pineapple

Tea all day, or tea never?
Tea in the morning

Tell us one thing no one in the office knows about you (yet!)
I'm scared of the ocean and refuse to go in

What is your party trick?
I can eat 15 breadsticks in 30 seconds

If you were an animal, what would you be and why?
A dog because they get to eat and sleep all day!

If you have any questions for Ellie, get in touch with us @office_fruit! 

Jackfruit - The New Pulled Pork!

Jackfruit is the hottest fruit of 2017, and we can definitely see why! It's a sustainable vegan meat replacement, with a neutral taste that takes on whatever seasoning or sauce you pair it with. It also has a similar consistency to chicken or pork, and works particularly well with BBQ sauce. If you're vegan, vegetarian, or just want to try out a yummy meat-free dish, look no further than our BBQ Pulled Jackfruit Sandwiches! Try out our recipe below (you won't forget it.)

BBQ Pulled Jackfruit Sandwiches

Cook time: 10 minutes
Prep time: 5 minutes
Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 shallot, minced
• 1 cup ketchup
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon sweet paprika
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon chilli powder
• 1 x 10.6-ounce package plain jackfruit, rinsed and drained, and broken up with a spatula
• 4 hamburger burns

Preparation

1. In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the shallow and saute for 3 minutes, until softened.
2. Reduce heat to low and add the ketchup, honey, vinegar, paprika, Worcestershire sauce, and chilli powder. Stir for 3 minutes until well combined. Add the jackfruit and heat through for 5 minutes.
3. Transfer a quarter of the jackfruit to each of the buns, and serve while hot. 

Have you tried pulled jackfruit? Let us know @office_fruit! 

Profile On: Pomegranate

What is it?
It is a shrub that produces a red fruit.

What does it look like?
It has a round shape, like an apple, with a hard, shiny skin blushed with red or yellow. Inside, it contains edible white seeds which are held in jewel-like, ruby-coloured sacs filled with sweet, juicy flesh. The sacs themselves are packed in a bitter, pale yellow pith. The best pomegranates are those with unblemished, shiny skins. Those that feel heavy for their size are the juiciest. Avoid any with soft patches.

Other names?
Their Latin name is Punica granatum.

Where's it from?
Now mainly grown in America, Spain, the Middle East and India, pomegranates originated in the area from Northern India to Iran.

When is it available? 
It is available all year round.

How do I eat it?
Cut the fruit open across its middle, then holding a half over a bowl, cut-side down, bash the skin with a rolling pin. The seeds should pop out. To extract the juice, put the seeds in a sieve and press out the juice with the back of a spoon. Avoid crushing the sac membranes too much as they can taste bitter. Be careful when preparing pomegranates, as the juice stains.

What does it taste like?
The taste depends on the variety of fruit and the degree of ripeness. The seeds can vary from a little sour (similar to ripe cherries) to fairly sharp (similar to uncooked cranberries).


What are the health benefits?
They are among the healthiest fruits around, and they have had a big surge in popularity over the past couple of years, for many reasons. They contain mountains of nutrients, such as fibre, protein, Vitamin C and potassium. They have anti-inflammatory properties, and they may also lower blood pressure. What's not to love!

Do you love pomegranate? Let us know @office_fruit!

Father's Day Gift Ideas

Father's Day is coming up on Sunday 18th June, and while we're sure you're already sorted we decided to give you a few ideas for those *extra* presents....!

For the Posh Dad who loves champagne, why not treat him to a Moet & Chandon basket! We're sure he'll be delighted to tuck in.

£79.99 - Moet & Chandon Basket

For the Geeky Dad who loves to cook, these Star Wars lightsaber BBQ tongs will be everything his inner child could desire!

£29.99 - Star Wars Lightsaber BBQ Tongs

For the Photographer Dad, why not give him the gift of portable coffee while he's out and about taking snaps with this camera lens mug! (Coffee and cookies not included.)

£14.99 - Camera Lens Mug

For the Geeky AND hard-working Dad, this R2 D2 desk hoover will keep his space (get it!?) nice and clean!

£14.99 - R2 D2 Desk Hoover

For the Techy Dad, this Lenco docking station which acts as a speaker, dock and alarm clock will be sure to keep him awake and dancing!

£19.95 - Lenco Docking Station Speaker & Alarm Clock

For the Chef Dad, this spicy curry night subscription package will be sure to make his Friday nights full of flavour!

£22 - Three Month Friday Night Curry Subscription

What have you got your Dad for Father's Day? Let us know @office_fruit

Making the most of your commute

For many of us that work we have to do some kind of commute. For a lot of people that includes trains and buses. We could look at that time as dead time, wasted time, but wouldn't it be great to make the most of that time so that we can make the most of our day? Here are some great ways that you can make the most out of your commuting time, whether it is 10 minutes or 2 hours!

Broaden your mind with podcasts
Podcasts are a great way to catch up on current events, learn things you didn't know (like a new language!) or just have a chuckle along with some funny topics. Our favourites are Stuff You Should Know; The Unlimited Spanish Podcast; The Tony Robbins Podcast; The Documentary; and Money Box. All can be found on iTunes. If you have any great podcasts you would like to share, let us know in the comments!

Chill out with some meditation
There are a few meditation apps on the market that include a travelling option, to help you relax and enjoy your journey. Considering how stressful travelling can become, this is definitely a bonus as it helps you arrive at your destination chilled out and refreshed. Just what we all need! Our favourite app is Calm.

Organise your mind with lists
If you're one of those people that are constantly thinking about what they need to do, where they need to be, and who they need to talk to, why not spend your time making lists? Whether to-do lists, or reminding yourself what you've done that day, by using this spare time to prioritise and organise you will certainly reap the benefits! 

Reply to all those texts!
If you've got a bustling social life, you will know how difficult it can be to juggle all those conversations! Why not take this time to reply to all those people you have left hanging? Even if you are underground, once they are all queued up they will send as soon as you get some signal. Simple!

Catch up with a great book
Why not use your commute to dive into a great book? Whether a physical book, kindle, or audio book, you're sure to find something that you'll enjoy, and believe us when we say the time will whizz by!

What do you do to pass the time on your commute? Let us know @office_fruit