Market Notes
December 7th , 2023
SPECIALTY CITRUS
The cooler weather, as depressing to beach bums as it may be, also brings on some fabulous citrus from the west coast. While we have to wait a few months for the sugar to develop in many varieties, we have an abundance of wonderful sour citrus to offer. These non-commodity items are becoming scarcer every year and growers retire and mandarins continue to gain in popularity. Other than Farmers Markets we have to seek out the commercial growers, and we have! In Porterville, California, the same town where our last supplier (Deer Creek Ranch) was, we found a neighbor that does a lot, but not all of the high quality citrus we were used to in the past. This product is not organic, is not horsehair brushed, but it is top quality conventional. We are used to Meyer Lemons and even Buddha Hands this time of year but where are you going to get Calamondin? Need to keep your supply of Finger Limes going? We got that covered too. Let’s talk Bergamot Oranges and Centennialquats, you want ‘em we got ‘em. Yuzu and Kaffir on your list? We got that too. Etrog Citron for those who like football, Fukushus Mandarins and Mandarinquats are in the mix as well. Santa Theresa Lemons, Honeybell Mineola’s, Seville Oranges and Cara-Cara Oranges round out the category. Product can be picked up in Porterville or consolidated in LA where we hope to have regular stock available in the coming month. We hope to continue to support these growers and keep these products available for generations to come.
ORGANIC CERTIFICATION
As the new organic rules continue to mystify and outrage, another concern has come up. For lack of a better word let call it certification status. In other words, it does not matter which certification company you use. They all go through the exact same process. They turn your information to the government to get approval for your certificate. There should be no difference between CCOF and Joe’s Bargain Basement Certifiers. If they are licensed it is all the same. They all have to do the same process. If some certifiers and more than is required, that’s on them and you are being played. We are gearing stories of receivers turning down organic certification certificated depending on who issued them and that is wrong. Paying more does get you a better certificate, you just paid more. If receivers start dictating which company growers and shippers have to use for certification, it will open up a whole new level of extortion. Organic apples $9.50 a pound? Yeah, that sounds about right.
NEW PRODUCE QUIZ – WHO AM I ???
My top is green to make the scene, and although I fight my bottom is always white. I’m long and slender, but not really tender, and I certainly am a fines herbes member. I am the cibol , from Siberia but I’m not so hot as to cause hysteria. My cousins are round and dug from the ground, or very thin and hot within. Some are sweet and cool to eat, but I’m the one who’s rolled for fun. If you need some help with your hunches I’m here to inform you I’m sold in bunches. In omelets, salads, and soups I’m fine, and you can also brush or flower me anytime. In vinaigrettes I make a splash, but use me at the end so I don’t turn to trash. In pasta salad and seafood too, with all my vitamins I’m good for you. With vitamins C, A and potassium to spare, one drink of my juice will have your intestines in good repair. On sour cream often chopped on top, on nacho platters I hit the spot!
The answer to this last week’s quiz was… COLLARD GREENS… Congrats to all winners.
Visit us at www.culinaryproduce.com Phone 908-789-4700 – Fax 908-789-4702 – e-mail passings@culinaryproduce.com
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© Culinary Specialty Produce, Inc., 2023