fruit notes
Carine and Robert of Sun Tracker Farm grow our favorite melons, hands-down. The Sivan charentais is Carine’s fave, and while we’re hard-pressed to pick just one, most days it’s ours too. The charentais is a type of French cantaloupe, deeply flavorful and extremely fragrant. It’s characteristically small with a teal grey ribbing. Sun Tracker’s charentais often show scarring, evidence of insects nibbling on the immature melon’s skin. The melon’s all grown up, the scars have healed, and it’s no worse for the wear. (I have a hypothesis that the pest pressure makes them taste even better, but that’s me!) If the scarring is a turn off, consider it their organic certification. :) Store in the fridge and eat chilled. Grown organically by Sun Tracker Farm in Guinda.
Mara des Bois strawberries are a fan favorite. Their diminutive form and whimsical calyxes make them look like they were nipped from some woodland fairytale scene. If a sprite ate strawberries, they would be these. They don’t suffer for their looks, either, bursting with unreal, candy-like sweetness. The trade-off is shelf life: don’t hold on to these too long, they’re best now. Store in the fridge. Grown organically by Yerena Farms in Watsonville.
Masumoto’s season rolls on with two varietal gems: the first Suncrest peaches & Summer Grand nectarines. The fruit arrives in steady weekly dispatches, but I know it emerges from a fevered choreography. A ripe peach waits for no one, and in Fresno heat, the window between under- and ripe is mercilessly small. We’ve visited on pick & pack days. Their production hums like a bee hive. We left in awe. This seasonal dance will rise to a crescendo in the next week or two. As with all the stone fruit in today’s box, remove them from their tray pack, store on the counter, and give them some room to breathe. Grown organically by Masumoto Family Farm in Del Rey.
A good white peach can be hard to find, so we were heartened this week when Toby told us he’s planted a bunch more. White peaches are all nuance – subtle sweetness and aroma. When done right, they can be beguile. But quite honestly, they are more likely to disappoint. Packing boxes yesterday, the aroma of these Snow Beauty white peaches was enough to tug at your attention, and from arm’s length. The new block should start producing in three or four years. Just around the corner! We’re hyped :) Grown organically by Free Spirit Farm in Winters.
Alongside the white peaches, Toby sent these gorgeous Splash pluots. They are bright and fresh and brushed with blush.
Today’s San Joaquin blueberries are the second-to-last harvest from Coastal Moon Farm. They are unlike any blueberry I have had, their looks deceiving. The berries are giant, which does not bode well – but they are firm, yielding with a snap, and intensely-flavored. They're so good! I’m savoring these, we’re nearly at the end. Grown organically in Watsonville.
Who can pass up a yellow donut peach? Unfortunately these came in much greener than we’d like. Only time will tell what their potential is, but we’re hoping it’s helpful to have some fruit with a little lead time on it. Store on the counter for a couple days to allow them to ripen up, and let us know if you have any problems with them. Grown organically by Terra Firma Farm in Winters.
