How Our Bodies Adapt to Seasonal Scarcity and Why EVOO Matters

Words by Olya Tarasyeyeva, Berlin-based food sociologist, chef, and food sustainability expert

Photos by Marie Staggat

In the UK, Germany, or elsewhere in the colder parts of Europe, we're now somewhere that might feel like halfway through winter. It will  take another couple of months for the first spring vegetables to be harvested from the fields (not greenhouses), with asparagus being the first among them, those juicy young things basking in the first rays of spring sun. They’ll be abundant here in the hillsides of rural Greece before anywhere else, and all the yiayiades will be gathering with their baskets to collect them. 

But from a wider perspective, there's no such thing as a "low season" when it comes to eating plants. And here's something fascinating about the deeper wisdom of our bodies: they know where we come from and automatically adapt to the given conditions. There's intelligence engraved in our DNA that signals how our ancestors used to eat, drawing both satisfaction and nutrients from  seasonal produce. 

Root and replenish  

Does it mean we all turn to eating potatoes only for the next 3 months? Absolutely not! Instead,  this is your invitation to rediscover potentially long-forgotten products, such as  kale, cabbage & co. from a place of playfulness and curiosity! 

Trust us: this isn't folk wisdom, it's backed by science. Seasonal produce harvested at its peak  contains higher levels of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. When foods travel thousands of  miles to reach your plate, they're often picked before fully ripe, meaning they haven't developed  their full nutritional potential. Indulge in what's just a farmer's market visit away: varieties of kale,  pumpkins, leeks, and earthy winter leaves like chard. Pair them with locally harvested fruits like  apples or pears, this adds colour, texture and fun to stews and hearty roasts. Eating this way, our  bodies instinctively recognise the seasons and respond to food positively. 

A study examining the levels of polyphenols, these powerful plant-based antioxidants, in seasonal produce, found that winter vegetables like kale, brussel sprouts, and winter squash actually develop higher levels of protective compounds in response to cold temperatures. It's nature's way of ensuring these plants and those who eat them can thrive during challenging conditions. Essentially, our bodies don't have the same demands throughout the year. Just as the Earth goes through seasons, so do we. 

Immune support in winter with good olive oil: the non-negotiable  

Undoubtedly, immune system support is non-negotiable during winter! But how do we achieve it without over-relying on imported produce, artificial supplements or pre-mixed powders? The answer lies in combining seasonal ingredients with the right healthy fats and immune-supportive spices and this is where good extra virgin olive oil becomes your vitality ally. 

Obviously we’re not talking  mass-produced olive oils here: always aim for a fresh harvest olive oil from small-scale farms, to support the soil and the farmers along with your body’s natural defences.  Our current harvest contains 80% more polyphenols than the average EU ratio. That’s why we call Honest Toil"the tastiest immune supplement you could have" throughout winter. 

From morning to evening: evoo as part of your daily rituals  

Breakfast: Whether warm porridge, refreshing yoghurt with apple and nuts, or your favourite  savoury variation, a splash of Honest Toil adds depth and a grassy fresh note, while healthy fatty 

Acids act as a natural flavour enhancer and transform your morning meal into an immune boosting powerhouse. More importantly, these fats help your body absorb fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, and K) from your fruits and other breakfast components. It's like giving your immune system  a morning kick. 

Lunch and Dinner: Play with immune-supportive spices when making soups, stews, and roasting  vegetables or meat in the oven. Here's the technique that transforms a simple meal into aromatic  medicine: For stews and pan-frying, warm up some Honest Toil in the pan first. Gently stir in your  chosen spices and let them infuse the oil. Take a moment and enjoy how they fill your whole  kitchen with warmth and scent. The aromatherapy alone is worth it, but there's science at work  too, gently heating these spices in quality olive oil helps unlock their bioactive compounds and  makes them more available for your body to use. 

Cook the dish you desire, and only remove the whole spices when serving the plate. The flavours  shall have permeated your meal, but the texture shall remain smooth and enjoyable. 

Immune-boosting spices include: cinnamon sticks, star anise, fennel seeds, whole black  pepper, cloves, cardamom. 

Mediterranean anti-inflammatory herbs: rosemary, thyme, sage. 

Variety is the spice of life (literally)  

To bring more play to your winter diet while simplifying your cooking, try this clever trick: split a  bottle of Honest Toil into smaller batches and infuse each with different herb combinations. Go by  cuisines to make meal planning easier: 

Mediterranean oil: Rosemary, thyme, oregano, bay leaf 

Asian-inspired oil: Ginger slices, whole star anise, a cinnamon stick, Sichuan peppercorns Indian-influenced oil: Whole cardamom pods, cumin seeds, mustard seeds, curry leaves 

Let these infusions sit for at least a week before using, and you'll have ready-made flavour bombs  that also deliver immune support with every drizzle. 

Why Honest Toil makes a difference 

What sets Honest Toil apart and why it matters for your winter wellbeing: 

Fresh harvest means maximum polyphenols: Unlike olive oils that sit in warehouses for months,  losing their beneficial compounds over time, Honest Toil comes from the most recent harvest. Polyphenols  are sensitive to time, light, and heat—fresh oil means you're getting the maximum immune supporting benefits. 

80% more polyphenols: When you're choosing Honest Toil extra virgin olive oil for your winter  wellbeing, this isn't just marketing, it translates directly to how much immune support you're  actually getting. It's the difference between olive oil as a cooking fat and olive oil as a functional  food. 

Putting it all together  

Winter doesn't have to be a season of survival, it can be a season of grounding warmth, and  building resilience for the year ahead. By embracing what's naturally available, enhancing it with  immune-supportive herbs and spices, and tying it all together with the premium extra virgin olive  oil from Honest Toil, you're nourishing wisely, in harmony with both the season and your body. A  simple winter meal might look like: 

A hearty soup of roasted winter squash and leeks, seasoned with sage and finished with a  generous drizzle of Honest Toil. Served with crusty sourdough bread, also drizzled with the  infused oil. Followed by poached pears with cinnamon, a dollop of Greek yoghurt mixed with  honey and—you guessed it a teaspoon of Honest Toil.

Three key takeaways for seasonal eating in winter  

1. Go with the flow of nature. It's in our DNA to adapt to what's only available in season, so  there's no need to buy imported products or supplements. Green winter vegetables like kale, root vegetables, and  winter squash and a variety of citrus fruits provide exactly what you need when you need it. 

2. Implement immune-supportive and anti-inflammatory spices and herbs. Star anise, cinnamon,  clove, cardamom, ginger, turmeric, garlic, rosemary, thyme, and lavender aren't just flavour  enhancers, they're medicine. Gently roast them in Honest Toil to unlock their flavours and healing  properties or make oil infusions. 

3. Choose high-quality extra virgin olive oil – the liquid gold of the Mediterranean Diet. Honest Toil  contains 80% more polyphenols—anti-oxidants that support everything from immune function to  cognitive health, than average EU olive oil, making your daily drizzle the tastiest immune  supplement you could have throughout winter. 

 References 

1. Seasonal variation in vegetable nutrient content and implications for human health. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition. 

2. Mediterranean diet and immune function: A systematic review. Nutrients Journal.

3. Polyphenol content in extra virgin olive oil and health benefits. Nutrition Reviews.

4. Anti-inflammatory properties of Mediterranean dietary components. Journal of Nutritional  Biochemistry. 

5. Seasonal eating patterns and metabolic health. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 

6. Bioactive compounds in herbs and spices: Health effects and mechanisms. Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science. 

7. Koroneiki olive variety: Polyphenol profile and health implications. Food Chemistry.

8. Fresh harvest timing and polyphenol preservation in olive oil. Journal of Agricultural and Food  Chemistry. 

9. Winter vegetables and immune function. Advances in Nutrition. 

10. The role of healthy fats in nutrient absorption and immune health. Annual Review of Nutrition.