Archive for August, 2021

Earl’s Organic Buyer’s Notes August 15, 2021

August 16, 2021 | Susan

California stone fruit is winding down and eating firmer. Enjoy local stone fruit for a few more weeks. It’s time to say goodbye to the Pacific Northwest cherries and apricots. They were sure delicious! Forbidden Fruit Orchards is back with their Fall crop out of Santa Maria and will go through December, weather dependent. Sun Valley as promised is harvesting a wealth of their proprietary deep red raspberries. The flavor will knock your socks off! Find out who won the Crespo Summer Mango Mania contest in this week’s buyer’s notes. Steady asparagus out of Mexico through September. Supplies will tighten up in October. Artichokes are starting to get into a rising market as volumes tighten up going into late summer. We will see the Fall flush at the end of September. Sun Valley continues to have beautiful orange and purple cauliflower, bunched beets, chards and kales.

Gravenstein Apples, A Local Favorite

August 13, 2021 | Susan

Gravenstein Apples are a local favorite out of Sebastopol grown by Johnny Appleseed from Solana Gold. It is the first California apple to be harvested and hints of fall around the corner. There are not many organic Gravenstein apple growers left so don’t miss this employee favorite!

Russian settlers brought the Gravenstein to California in the mid-19th century. The Gravenstein is loved for its sweet tart flavor and berry fragrance. It makes a gorgeous cider and an excellent pie.

Did you know that the Gravenstein is on the Slow Food USA Ark of Taste? https://bit.ly/gravensteinslowfoodarkoftaste

Subtropical Kiwano Horned Melon

August 12, 2021 | Susan

Kiwano Horned Melon taste like a mix of cucumber, kiwis and bananas when ripe. The fruit will have an orange rind and give slightly to gentle pressure when ripe. Cut in half like a kiwi fruit and scoop out the fruit or squeeze the cut fruit from the bottom and tilt the loosened fruit into your mouth. The seeds are edible but the real flavor is in the green flesh! Grown by Sunrise Farms(Buellton).

Earl’s Organic Buyer’s Notes August 8, 2021

August 9, 2021 | Susan

Sun Valley Raspberries are now peaking with promotable volume. The California Gravenstein, a local favorite, is the first California apple on the scene. Makes an incredible pie and awesome for juicing. California Stone Fruit season is on the last month with fruit out of the Pacific Northwest making more of an appearance. The Air Chief grape contest starts August 16^th. Sun Valley is enjoying gorgeous weather in their new Slough Farm in Watsonville, bringing a bounty of red, green and rainbow chard and green and lacinato kale as well as purple and orange cauliflower. Tomatero Bunched Basil is improving as the weather warms up. Plenty of Mexican Asparagus. Brussel Sprouts are back in bulk. Sun Valley is enjoying gorgeous weather in their new Slough Farm in Watsonville, bringing a bounty of red, green and rainbow chard and green and lacinato kale as well as purple and orange cauliflower. Tomatero Bunched Basil is improving as the weather warms up. Plenty of Mexican Asparagus. Brussel Sprouts are back in bulk.https://www.earlsorganic.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Earls_BuyersNotes_070421.pdf

La Granjita Watermelon Gherkin Aqua Fresca

August 5, 2021 | Susan

Watermelon Gherkin cucumbers are shaped like baby watermelons. They are about the size of your thumb and are good in salads or pickled. They taste similar to a cucumber with a hint of lemon. Victor and Veronica from La Granjita served this refreshing drink to Earl’s Organic on their farm tour. Antonieta Solorzano, Buyer Assistant put her personal touch on the recipe. Enjoy!

To make 1 large pitcher of 56oz use:

6x8oz – Watermelon Gherkins
56oz of cold water
Juice from 3 Limes – or more if you like
Add sugar to taste