DECEMBER 15th, 2022

Market Notes

GREEN SCENE GETTING CLEAN From the middle of November to the middle of December the southern fields were hurting. Crop picked early to cover the mess up north slowed the availability of available product and then some rough weather with a bit of startup bumps continued the delay. But blue skies now abound along with warm days and cool nights, just what our baby greens love. Mesclun and teen spinach are no longer being allocated and we expect a price drop as soon as next week and as late as the week after. Arugula remains tight but new fields are about ten days away and then that shortage will be curtailed as well. So, the fields and shipping are good in Yuma, but getting across the country this week will be a tough deal. Ho-Ho-Ho!

HOLIDAY HOURS (PART TWO)

We have done our homework, canvassed trillions (OK three) of businesses and have reached a conclusion. Monday, December 26, 2022, is an interplanetary holiday. Nobody really know what to call it some it has been coined as a “Becausaday”, just because Our East coast office will be closed, and our West coast office will be on stand-by for future orders over the road and air tracking and CD orders. Airport runs are available for drop off if set up the Thursday prior. We will repeat the “Becausaday” the following week on Monday January 2, 2022. Most Monday loading will need to be pushed back to Friday or forward to Tuesday for both weeks. Market Notes and the (always improved upon, never spelled right) Produce Quiz will also be on Hiatus for the next two weeks. Next week will bring the twenty-eight Annual Culinary Specialty Produce Christmas Sang followed by this year’s Top Ten the following week. Both Market notes and the Produce Quiz will return on Thursday, January 5, 2023, giving you some time to study up the incredible quizzes we line dup for next year. We will see you then.

‘SHROOMS AND TRUFFLES

White truffles have had a substantial drop in Europe. As the White Alba truffles become scarcer, their price has actually dropped. That means the 5K price is now 2.5K. In more reasonable pricing the Burgundy truffles of excellent quality are being replaced by the more popular Black Perigord truffles. The Perigord are still a bit underripe, so the peak is several weeks away. Still, the demand is high, especially this time of year. Chanterelles are winding down soon to be replaced with hedgehog and black trumpets and yellowfoot.

NEW PRODUCE QUIZ – WHO AM I ???

I’m the biggest berry around (1.5 to 3 inches across), but I’m named for my exotic flower. My Amazon size is downplayed in deference to those who see the suffering of Christ in my flower. A native Brazilian, I’m now at home in New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, and other warm climes; and you will find me in Florida, California, and Hawaii. First, you must look past the distraction of my flowers (used as an herbal remedy for anxiety and insomnia), my decidedly ornamental leaves, and my lovely climbing vine. Then, maybe, you will notice my orbs – purple are less known and are less acidic, richer and juicier than the larger yellow variety. You can let me ripen on the vine ‘til I drop or harvest me early and let me ripen on the way to the consumer. When I’m at my prime, my skin is wrinkled like an aging Brazilian beauty, but once you get past my thick, tough, ugly shell I’m full of yellow/orange pulp sacs encasing edible seeds. It’s my tropical fresh aroma and flavor that you’ll write home about. My fruit is juicy, acid sweet, almost floral – lemon and honey and something exotic. Most of my pulp is processed into juice, but some of my fruit does make it to market. Full of vitamins C and A and available most of the year, I’m wonderful eaten fresh, used in drinks, sauces, desserts and ice-cream. And, of the seven different fruits in Hawaiian Punch, it is I who gives it it’s punch.

The answer to last weeks quiz is….SORREL….Congrats to all Winners!

Call 908-789-4700 –Lisa or Richard– Fax 908-789-4702

Culinary Specialty Produce, Inc., 2020