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THIS WEEK’S FRUIT
Minneolas
Sundance Natural, Oceanside
Minneolas are a cross between a grapefruit and a mandarin. Their peel is a smooth orange-red. The shape slightly resembles a bell with a round body and pronounced neck. Minnoelas have a juicy sweet flavor with a hint of tartness harkening to their grapefruit parentage. Store out of sunlight for 2-4 days on the counter or up to two weeks in the fridge.
Sundance Natural, Oceanside
The Grapefruit is said to cross between the Jamaican sweet orange and the Indonesian pomelo, first documented in 1750. Red grapefruit was an accidental discovery of a red fruit growing on a pink grapefruit tree. They are prized for their beautiful color and sweet flesh. Store out of sunlight for 2-4 days on the counter or up to two weeks in the fridge.
Valencia Oranges
Pleasant Valley Ranch, Springville
Valencia Oranges are a late season orange known for their very sweet tasting and brightly colored juice. They are one of the most popular varieties used for bottled juices because of this. Their sweet, bright flavor and minimal seed content (1-6 per orange) make them perfect for out of hand eating too. Store out of sunlight for 2-4 days on the counter or up to two weeks in the fridge.
Hass Avocado
Tomorrow’s Organics, Monterey, CA
Creamy in texture, nutty in flavor, with a small to medium seed. The Hass skin is easy to peel and darkens from green to purplish-black as it ripens. Store on the counter out of direct sunlight.
Murcott Tangerines
Sundance Natural, Oceanside, CA
Murcott Tangerines are a late season tangerine known for their rich flavor and deeply hued flesh and juice. Their small size and sweet juice makes them a favorite with little ones.Store out of sunlight for 2-4 days on the counter or up to two weeks in
Albion Strawberries
Watsonville, CA
The Albion is a newer variety strawberry developed at UC Davis. It is ever bearing and usually produces fruit June – October in the Bay Area. The sweet flavor and firm flesh makes the Albion an excellent dessert or preserving berry. Strawberry jam or pie anyone?
A NOTE FROM SARAH
April showers bring May flowers.
Well, it isn’t something we’re accustomed to, rain at the end of April, but this year? We are happy,happy, happy to have it. This morning I awoke to the tapping of the rain on the patio outside my sliding glass door. The smell of rain is amazing, isn’t it? And somehow, a spring rain smells fresher and cleaner than any other time of year.
The ground and tree crews all started Friday morning at the normal time, ready for a days work in the orchard. No one believed the weather forecast. Rain? On April 25, 2014? No way. And then it started, softly at first, but by 10:00 am, it was raining hard. Everyone working in the fields rushed in to clock out and go home. Everyone in the offices stood staring out the windows; it was raining. Huh.
This is good timing for the trees. There is no better irrigation than the rains that fall from the sky. These rains hold energy giving nitrogen in every drop. Ever noticed how your yard seems to come alive after a spring rain? The reason is the nitrogen. Your grass loves it, your bushes and flowers adore it and your trees practically dance with joy from it. At this time of year there is nothing the rains can hurt, it’s all good. So let it rain!
Next time it rains, take a moment to go outside and see what is happening in your yards and around your neighborhoods; it’s an amazing sight. Children delight in splashing through puddles, dogs chase raindrops falling from the clouds and kitties huddle under eves waiting for it to stop. Take a deep breath and remember the moment when it’s 105 degrees and everything is parched from the blistering heat. Enjoy the beauty the rains bring.
