fruit notes

Indio mandarinquats are a lovable oddball and too fun not to share when they’re ripe and in season. They are mandarin x kumquat hybrid, which lends a little extra sweetness to the kumquat situation. As with kumquats, the whole fruit is edible, skin included! Store in the fridge or on the counter. Grown organically by Murray Family Farms in Bakersfield.

Farmer Orlando is a citrus-growing legend in the town of Rumsey, population 139, at the north end of the Capay Valley. His neighbors Cathy and Michael at Spreadwing Farm can’t exactly tell you why, the fruit just tastes better when he’s farming the trees, or something to that effect. But no matter, these Washington Navel oranges tell you all you need to know. They are a world apart. The longtime farm manager of Blue Heron Farm, he’s tended the orange grove at Ghost Pine Ranch for the past couple years. With just another week or two left in his season, we are starting to squirrel these away in anticipation of the end. Store in the fridge or on the counter. Grown organically by Ghost Pine Ranch in Rumsey.

It’s no great surprise, but we’ve found that farmers growing for flavor have impeccable taste. So when a farmer’s tells you something is her favorite variety, it's worth paying attention. These Tango mandarins are farmer Cathy’s fave, that’s good enough for me! They’re rich and well-balanced with generous acid to tame the sweetness, and a thick skin that’s still easy to peel. What’s not to like? :) Store in the fridge or on the counter. Grown organically by Spreadwing Farm in Rumsey.

Late-season Bacon avocados are delicious, mildly creamy, and a natural pair to the bounty of citrus we’re enjoying right now. But the best thing about them might be that they mean Hass avocado season is almost here! These are a delight, but the real party starts in a couple weeks. Avocado will remain green when ripe and yield to slight pressure. Store on the counter. Grown organically by Limelight Groves in De Luz.

The crew and the kids at Condor Ridge Ranch picked and packed these Booth cherimoya for us (for you!) this week. While packing cherimoya into boxes this week, we stopped to marvel at the fruit. To produce such big, beautiful cherimoya organically is a testament to Jay & Kristen’s three decades of investing in the soil. What a legacy. We are full of gratitude. Ripen on the counter until the fruit yields to gentle pressure, like a ripe avocado. Cut in half and eat the flesh with a spoon. Do not eat the seeds. Grown organically by Condor Ridge Ranch in Goleta.

An oft-repeated fact, but too cool not to share again and again: Cara Cara oranges are not a hybrid, they are a bud sport, a chance genetic mutation that caught a farmer’s eye. The excellent Cara Cara season is winding down at Murray Family Farms, so savor these! Store in the fridge or on the counter. Grown organically by Murray Family Farms in Bakersfield.

Limelight Groves’ purple passion fruit lends summer vibes to these late winter days. Turn on the summer yule log, throw on the Jimmy Buffet, scoop some passion fruit, and drift away. Store on the counter. They are ripe now, but as the skin wrinkles they will become sweeter and pulpier/less juicy. Grown organically by Limelight Groves in De Luz.

Last Kishu mandarins of the year from Limelight! Store in the fridge. Grown organically by Limelight Groves in De Luz.