Market Notes
February 23, 2017

…AND THEN IT RAINED SOME MORE

Maybe the rains have subsided a bit. Citrus groves are still unavailable as vehicles and ladders struggle to get through. There have been some sunny days and it look like the coming weeks will be 3-4 days of sun and 2-3 days of rain. That is a change for the better. Infrastructure has been damages and numerous tiny farm roads in both hills and valleys remain inaccessible. Artichokes and baby lettuces, ready for harvest are not accessible either. However, organic baby kale is once again available, and while we cannot be variety specific BMX is back in play. So there are still a lot of storms coming to northern, central and southern California but two good things are that the number is diminishing and the time between storms increased. Requests for arks have dropped and that is a good sign too.

SPRING THINGS

Remember when spring meant the beginning of the asparagus season and raspberries on the market meant summer was here. Global sourcing changed all that so most commodities are available all year. But ongoing is a different story. Not everything on this earth can be cultivated. So when the nettles are over ten inches tall and orchard Morel Mushrooms pop up from the ground, it is the beginning of spring. Foraged items have a season, and that season has begun. Nettles and Morels are in stock. Morels, as always, start with the sandy, light-colored fruits but also come at a very affordable price. This is a brief and sporadic time for harvests so order now or get in line. Another great indication of the spring things is the availability of Chanterelle Mushrooms. Early crop of flower Chanterelles are now available. As the spring forage comes on, we still have black winter truffles, both domestic and Perigord, along with Yellowfoot and Hedgehog mushrooms. Ramps and fiddleheads on the horizon.

HOT POTATO MAMA MEETS THE BIG APPLE

We will brag just once more. This is now bigger than all of us. It’s not a campaign it is a potato revolutionary movement! Our five demos in the Big Apple were a huge success and it is time to hit the trades. Look for the press release in the next few weeks. We will be actively managing this program until there is a purple skinned/yellowfleshed potato in every pot. We will win the popular vote bigly.

OJAI VALLEY CITRUS

It starts with the Pixie Tangerine that has achieved great fame as a wonderful late winter citrus. But that is just the beginning. This area of Southern California produces some of the finest fruit of the season. The also offer wonderful Navel Oranges, Valencia Oranges, Minneola’s and lemons. But that is still not the best kept secret of this region. For the best of the best, get your hands on some of their triple cross tangerines varieties that go under the brand names, Tahoe Golds, Yosemite Golds, and Shasta Golds. Tahoe’s are too juicy to ship long distance but the Yosemite and Shasta are to die for. Like enjoying a really fine wine, you will love this fruit. Get it, if you can, or call us.

NEW PRODUCE QUIZ – WHO AM I?????

I am a native of southwestern Africa representing the cucumber family. Introduced to New Zealand in 1930 and cultivated there for decorative purposes, my popularity began to rise. I am about four inches long, two inches wide and weigh between one half pound and one pound. I have a spiky, brilliant, gold/orange skin with emerald green flesh and edible seeds. I offer up a unique combination of banana, watermelon, mango, pineapple, and cucumber flavors. Often my insides are aborted and my stunning shell is halved and used as a vessel for salads, slaws, or desserts. Sometimes just my top is lopped off, again my innards are gutted and I become a glass for exotic drinks. My strained liquid is an excellent substitute for vinegar, or with a bit of added sugar a great thirst quencher. My pulp is often added to sauces, soups, salads, sorbet, yogurts, or just eaten out of hand. I am rich in vitamin C and I also contain iron and potassium. Mostly I’m just really cool to look at and I don’t bite.

Answer To Last Week’s Quiz…ACHIOTE…Congrats To All Winners
Call 908-789-4700 –Lisa or Richard– Fax 908-789-4702
Visit us at www.culinaryproduce.com
“like” us @ Culinary Specialty Produce on Facebook©
Culinary Specialty Produce, Inc., 2015