Serving the Deity

Offer what is fresh in season

Offer the fruits and grains of the season to the Lord before you take them yourself.

Fruit and grain are best offered fresh and in their season, before you take them yourself. The Nectar of Devotion lists failing to offer the fresh fruits and grains of the season as an offense to avoid. It is a way of remembering that the harvest is a gift.

Whose teaching
Vedic scripture
Where it is taught
The Nectar of Devotion, ch. 8: offense 26
Source
Vedabase