Apples and pears might be the first fruits to come to mind when you think of autumn, but no fall fruit basket would be complete without fresh, juicy plums! After apples, plums are the world’s most cultivated fruit, and no wonder – plums (like Empress Plums from Hale Groves) are plump, sweet, and a treat when eaten fresh, made into a decadent jelly or jam to spread over your morning toast, baked in a flaky pie or sliced into a late summer salad. If you tend to avoid plums when you go to the grocery story to buy fresh fruit,…
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Continue ReadingWe have great news for you…peach season isn’t over yet! While it’s true our famous Sweet Georgia Peaches are now out of season (they’re at their best earlier in the summer), you can still enjoy the amazing flavor of Hale peaches with our longer-seasoned Orchard Fresh Peaches. These sweet and juicy gourmet peaches are amazing when eaten fresh out of hand, grilled, or baked into a pie – but did you know peaches are super-good for you, too? Maybe you did – after all, it’s no secret fruits and veggies are good for us (in fact, the USDA recommends eating…
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Continue ReadingPear season is almost here, and one of the first varieties in line are our bountiful Bartletts! One of the world’s most popular pear varieties, Bartlett Pears are large with the classic pear-shape: rounded bottom half tapering to a small, curved neck. When Bartletts are mature but not yet fully ripe, they are green-skinned with a tart-tasting, crunchy flesh; when fully ripe their skins turn golden, and the flesh becomes sweet and juicy with a buttery texture. While Bartletts are available year-round, fall through winter is their peak season time. Bartlett Pear Facts The Bartlett pear is named Enoch Bartlett,…
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Continue ReadingThere’s nothing like the taste of fresh mango! Mangoes are delicious when eaten fresh out of hand on a hot summer’s day and add a tropical zing to smoothies and main dishes – as well as a big nutritional kick. But are they a good choice for those trying to limit their sugar intake? A single mango contains around 45 grams of sugar. That’s a lot, but keep in mind that not all sugars are created equal. Unlike processed sugars like that found in commercially processed foods, natural sugars such as those found in fruits take longer for the body…
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Continue ReadingYou can always find some fruits (like apples and bananas) in your local grocery store, but the same can’t be said of fresh Bing Cherries – you can only find fresh cherries for sale for a few weeks each summer (Bing Cherries season is yet one more reason to look forward to summer!). Are cherries good for you? There’s no doubt about it – these deep red fruits pack a healthful punch! Bing Cherries are low in calories and chock full of fiber, vitamins, minerals, nutrients, and other good-for-you ingredients. You’ll get vitamins C, A, and K. Each long-stemmed fruit…
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Continue ReadingDo you tend to think of grapefruit as a winter fruit? If you do, it’s not so surprising…many of our favorite citrus fruits are in season during the fall, winter and early spring months, including Navel Oranges, Tangerines and Ruby Red Grapefruit. But saying “sayonara” to winter doesn’t mean you have to bid citrus fruits farewell, too…summer varieties mean you can enjoy fresh citrus fruit year-round – and that includes grapefruit! Grapefruit in the United States Grapefruit was first introduced to Florida in the 1820s. The name stems from the way the fruit grows — in grape-like clusters. Today, grapefruit…
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If you’ve been wondering when do mangos come in season, the answer is right now! Assuming you’re reading this in the summertime, of course – mangoes are a summer stone fruit, and a very tasty, tropical-tasting one at that. There’s nothing like the flavor of fresh mango in a salad or smoothie! But can you eat the peel along with the flesh of the fruit? What’s Great About Mango Skins Historically, we human beings tend to peel our fruits and veggies before we eat them, which is a shame, since the skins (or rinds, or peels – whichever you prefer…
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Continue ReadingSomeone has just had a bunch of fresh cherries delivered to your door, and you couldn’t be more surprised! Perhaps you didn’t realize it was cherry season. Perhaps the only cherries you’ve ever eaten have been the odd Maraschino kind in your drink or on top of a sundae, and you’ve never had the pleasure of enjoying fresh cherries. Perhaps you didn’t even realize you could send cherries in the mail! How do cherries taste, anyway? Don’t worry…we’re here to fill you in on your gift of cherries and tell you everything you need to know! Are cherries in season?…
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Continue ReadingAre Hale Groves Valencia Oranges good for juicing? In our opinion (and Hale Groves has specialized in tree-ripened fruit for over 70 years), there are none better! We believe that, not only are Valencia Oranges good for juicing, they are the best oranges for juicing you can get. What is a Valencia Orange? Named for the Spanish city, Valencia Oranges are a summer variety that was developed in Southern California during the 1800s. Valencias are available from February through October and reach their peak in late spring through mid-summer. The Valencia Orange has wonderful flavor, but unlike the popular classic…
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Continue ReadingGeorgia Peach season is here! A ripe, juicy peach is one of the joys of summer. Not only can fresh peaches be enjoyed when eaten out of hand, peaches are can be used in both sweet (in cobblers and other baked goods) and savory (in salsas, sides and main dishes) recipes. Peach health benefits include fiber, potassium and vitamins A and C. Sweet peaches can also be beneficial for weight loss as they’re low in calories (just 60 per cup) and satisfying to your sweet tooth. The only bad thing about peaches is how short their season is! Stone Fruits…