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Curious when your favorite fruits are in season? The Jackson Whole Grocer has compiled a list of seasonal fruits for you. Using 'The Packer' (The business newspaper of the produce industry since 1893), as our guide, we will be updating what US grown fruits are in season each month. All produce that has become available that month for the first time in the year will be in bold. Produce that came into season the previous month will be marked in italics Monthly Seasonal ProduceCara Cara Navels: Cara Cara's were discovered at the Hacienda de Cara Cara in Valencia, Venezuela in 1976. Their outward appearance is similar to other navels, but their interior is a distinctive pinkish red and has an exceptionally sweet flavor with a tangy cranberry-like zing. Cara Caras are a rich source of Vitamins A and C, fiber and Lycopene. A perfect snack served as wedges, they're also a colorful addition to beverages or squeezed into a vinaigrette salad dressing. (Available Jan. - Apr.)Mineolas Tangelos: A cross between a tangerine and a grapefruit, the sweet and delicious deep red-orange minneola tangelo is easily recognized by its characteristic slightly elongated "neck" on one end. At its peak of maturity, its pebbly peel turns to a very attractive bright reddish-orange color. This handsome tasty fruit is easy to peel, has a high juice content and is considered the most popular of all the tangelos. Tangelos are excellent sources of vitamin C plus they provide dietary fiber. (Available Sept. - Apr.) Moro (Blood) Oranges: Moros are small to medium sized with a thin skin and few or no seeds. Slice open a Moro and you'll see a dramatic and beautiful bright red to deep maroon interior. Take a bite and you'll become a fan of the intense orange taste that hints of fresh raspberry. Moros get their red color from high concentrations of a pigment called anthocyanin, a powerful antioxidant that neutralizes the effects of free radicals. Free radicals are the agents believed to be responsible for cancer, aging and other health ailments. (Available Jan. - Apr.) Clementines: Clementines are the tiniest of the mandarins. They are small, very sweet, and usually seedless. Most people think of clementines as small tangerines, but they’re a different variety entirely, with a distinctive taste. The Clementine is an excellent eating orange. Its small size and lack of seeds make it particularly popular with kids. (Fresh Nov.-Apr.) Tangelos: Tangelos range from the size of a standard sweet orange to the size of a grapefruit, but are usually somewhat necked at the base. The peel is fairly loose and easily removed. The pulp is often colorful, subacid, of fine flavor and very juicy. Tangelos are not commonly grown in California but are produced commercially and in home gardens in Florida. They are much more satisfactory on limestone in southern Florida than the sweet orange and are prized for their quality. (Fresh Dec. - Mar.) Navel Oranges: California navel oranges are considered by many to be the best oranges in the world for eating out of hand. They have a meaty flesh, their thick rinds are easy to peel, the segments separate easily, and they have no seeds. All navel oranges have a navel at the blossom end - an opening with a convoluted interior that looks, well, like a navel. (Fresh Nov. - May.) Kiwis: This fruit consists of a hairy, brown peel containing green flesh, with white pulp in the center, surrounded by black, edible seeds. The fruit has a sweet taste, similar to a mixture of banana, pineapple and strawberry.Studies have proven that kiwifruits are useful in improving conditions of asthmatic children, and in decreasing the probability of colon cancer by providing a good amount of dietary fiber. (Available Nov. - Mar.) Kumquats: This tiny citrus fruits are entirely edible. They are juicy and contain white tiny seeds, with a zesty flavor similiar to an orange with a hint of tangerine. (Available Nov. - Mar.) Produce is a variable product due to such factors as weather, transportation and supply. As such we may not be able to order produce items even thought they should be in season. Check with our produce department about availability. |
Exotic Fruit of the MonthCara Cara Navels |
