Cherries have traveled a long way, from Europe to the coast of the United States. With the movement of immigrants from France, the cherry was planted in the Pacific Northwest and cultivated into the successful crops of today. Cherry trees grow beautifully in Washington State, which produces some of the sweetest cherries in the United States. A planter by the name of Peter Dougherty was bold enough to plant these fruitful trees at what is known as the Mission Peninsula. Once these trees took hold, the landscape was never the same. In 1847, Henderson Lewelling planted the first crop of…
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Clementines are a season citrus fruit generally found between November and March with a peak sweetness around December. These little orange like fruit were originally cultivated in the Mediterranean area including Spain and across Northern Africa. They are most well known in what is said to be the birth place of the clementine, Algeria. They are said to have been introduced to the United States of America in 1882. They were grown at the Citrus Research Center at UC Riverside starting in 1909 and introduced into commercial agriculture in 1914. Although clementines are a distinguished seasonal fruit, they are considered…
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The state of Florida’s origins actually go back to the earliest days of New world Exploration. Today, it’s perhaps most famous worldwide for it’s hundreds of tourist attractions and for its perennial welcome for retirees and senior citizens. But there’s a lot more to Florida, the “Sunshine State“, than just visitors and retirement. America’s First City The United States’ oldest city, St. Augustine, is located in the state’s northwestern corner, near Jacksonville. It’s over 450 years old, established more than 40 years before the founding of Jamestown, Virginia. Many of the original settlement’s earliest structures remain intact today, preserved by…
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If you like to cook and have friends who like to eat gourmet food use Temple oranges to add a little gourmet flair to your next dinner party or event. Temple oranges are sweet and tangy and are the perfect way to dress up your favorite gourmet dishes. You can use sweet and sultry Temple oranges in everything from fish dishes to savory dishes to dessert. Many gourmet home cooks like to make a sorbet of grapefruit juice and orange juice and leave it in a serving dish of ice on the table as a palette cleanser between courses during…
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When toddlers first begin to eat food on their own it can be very nerve wracking for parents. Kids who are just learning how to eat on their own can be incredibly picky eaters, and it can be tough finding foods that they can physically eat on their own and that they like to eat. Parents have an opportunity to help their children develop healthy eating habits that can last throughout their lives by giving their toddlers healthy food options when they first begin to choose their own foods. If you have a toddler in the family that is just…
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Canning and making homemade preserves is very trendy right now. But in order to get great tasting preserves you need to start with great tasting fruit. The best fruit you can use for making homemade jams, jellies and other treats is Indian River citrus fruit. Indian River oranges, grapefruits, Honeybells and other specialty fruits are highly recommended by expert home canning enthusiasts because of the fresh and naturally sweet taste that Indian River fruit has. No matter what fruit you’re using to make preserves when you order it from an Indian River citrus grower you can be confident that you…
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After the winter holidays are over many people are left with a few extra pounds and an intense craving for sweets. Navel oranges can help you lose weight and get over those sugar cravings too. Citrus fruits which are naturally sweet like oranges and tangerines are the perfect way to get over the addiction to refined sugar that usually follows the holidays. When you eat cookies, cakes, and sweetened holiday drinks that all contain processed and refined sugar, or artificial sweeteners, your body becomes addicted to those substances, which is why you crave them so badly after you stop eating…
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A bushel is a standard unit of measurement for most produce. However, many of us non-farmers are stumped when presented with the option of ordering by the 1/4, 1/2 or full bushel. So here is a quick guide to help when you’re confronted with bushels on your next purchase. Keep in mind some varieties are larger and weigh more. Therefore there will be less fruit per bushel. This is why we have such a wide range. 1 bushel = 48-72 oranges or 32-48 grapefruit. 3/4 bushel = 36-54 oranges or 24-36 grapefruit 1/2 bushel = 24-36 oranges or 16-24 grapefruit…
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The term ‘Georgia Peaches’ calls to mind warm summer days, sweet juicy fruit and special summer treats. But for historians, there’s much more to Georgia peaches than just a sweet taste. Truth is, Georgia peaches have only been commercially grown since the mid 1800s. But to fully understand what a treasure they are, we must first take a look at the origins of the peach. It may be hard to believe, but the peach as we know it today has its origins in ancient China. Numerous manuscripts, some dating back to 1100 BC, have revealed details on the cultivation of…
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Florida oranges make delicious desserts, and cooking with oranges is easier than you might think. Are you ready to treat yourself and your family and friends to some delicious desserts, drinks, and other treats made with sweet, healthy oranges and orange juice? Orange desserts are perfect for the fall and winter when everyone could use a spot of sunshine to remind them of the warmer days ahead. Orange desserts also are great for parties and get togethers where people tend to bring the same tired desserts time after time. If you want some dessert options that don’t include chocolate, or…