Last of the Summer and the Start of Fall

California Green Keitt Mango
Keitt Mangoes have completely green skin with no colorations like more familiar mangoes. They are large, plump and juicy and stay green when ripe. These delicious mangoes have buttery, soft, fiber-less yellow-orange flesh and a relatively small seed, making for an exceptional eating experience. These domestic mangoes are not hot water treated, so you can enjoy a delicious “tree-ripened” eating experience. California Green Keitt Mangoes are one of the best tasting mango varieties grown and available in the US. They are only available August and September so don’t miss out.


Finger Limes
Also known as citrus caviar, finger limes are very different than other citrus. These unique fruits somewhat resemble the shape and size of a cocktail avocado growing as long as 3 inches in length. Their skin is thin and can range from purplish-red & black with greenish color. When the fruit is cut in half, the juice vesicles will ooze out. The translucent, greenish-white to pinkish vesicles inside the finger limes are round and firm, and pop on the tongue like caviar. The fruit releases a flavor that combines lemon & lime with a tartness of citrus.

Finger Limes are a fun snack or a great way to garnish a drink or salad. Squeeze them onto fish, or into your favorite refreshing drink for added flavor. Their season is late August – December.


Dragon Fruit
Dragon Fruit is a newer variety of fruit to the U.S and is now made available through Melissa’s. Originally from Central America and very popular in Southeast Asia, Dragon Fruit is now grown in Southern California where ideal climate conditions occur. They look so beautiful like “a work of art” and are commonly described as looking “unreal”. Eat them sliced or cube them into a fruit salad.

Dragon Fruit is available seasonally in white, magenta and red flesh varieties. They are about 60 calories for a 3 ounce serving and are a good source of fiber. There is generally one color available year round.


Passion Fruit
Passion Fruit originated in South America, most likely Brazil. Now, passion fruit is grown worldwide. Passion fruit comes from the passion flower, which is a beautiful tropical flower with a wonderful fragrance. Passion fruit is generally purple, but can also be golden, and has a jelly-like golden flesh, filled with soft edible seeds. Passion fruit looks like an egg, with a thick, hard shell that gets wrinkled as it ripens...the more wrinkles, the better the fruit will be. Contrary to popular belief, passion fruit is named for the bloom of the passion fruit flower. This bloom is thought to symbolize various parts of the Passion of Christ (such as the crown of thorns and the nails of the crucifixion) and not because of passionate powers it was once believed to contain. Passion fruit is generally eaten fresh but may be cooked for use in sauces and fillings. Simply halve the fruit and scoop out the pulp and seeds with a spoon.

Passion fruit can be purchased with smooth skin for use later, or with wrinkled, dimpled skin for immediate use. The more wrinkles, the better it will taste! Passion fruit can be frozen once the flesh is removed from the shell. It is best stored at room temperature. Passion fruit is very low calorie with about 18 calories per medium fruit and contains vitamins A and C.


Pomegranates
Pomegranates probably originated around Persia. The word Pomegranate is Latin for “apple of numerous seeds”. They have been cultivated worldwide for thousands of years. There is even record of pomegranates being buried in Egyptian tombs, dating back thousands of years. Pomegranates are a Greek symbol of fertility. These beautiful red fruits were used for fabric dye and medicinally years ago. Today, they are eaten as a sweet and delicious treat whenever they are in season.

Pomegranates are generally chosen for size; the larger the fruit, the sweeter it will be. They are best when eaten at room temperature, but can be refrigerated to prolong the shelf life. Pomegranate juice and seeds can be frozen for later use. The seeds in the pomegranate are completely edible, although many choose not to eat them. Use pomegranate seeds in fruit salads, as a garnish on plates, in sorbets or desserts, or in juices. They are low calorie, with about 20 calories per ounce. They are a good source of potassium, low sodium and also a source of vitamins C and B.


Green Muscatos™ Grapes
Exclusively available from Melissa’s, Green Muscatos™ Grapes look similar to common varieties, however they are hybrid crossings of super sweet table grapes. Muscato™'s are grown in the central valley, where there is an ideal Mediterranean-like climate which helps produce our superb, delectable grapes. In this heavenly valley, our Muscato™ Grapes grow, ripen and are picked at the optimal time to ensure unparalleled flavor.

Green Muscato™’s are perfect for back-to-school lunches and snacks. Great for fruit salads, parfaits or just out of hand. Their season is July – September.


Tamarillos
Also referred to as a sweet tomato or tree tomato, are an egg-shaped fruit with a smooth skin. Their flavor is somewhat tangy, tart, and tomato-like. They have a meaty texture and must be peeled before consumed. Tamarillos are best when cooked for sauces, chutney, and relishes.

Tamarillos are grown in both red and green varieties. Colors are interchangeable and have no significant difference in taste.


Strawberry Papayas
Strawberry papayas are the most delicious papayas of all varieties. They are red-flesh papayas and are juicy with a hint of fresh peaches and berries. Strawberry papayas can be eaten plain, once ripe, or in fruit salads, in desserts or blended into drinks. Just cut in half lengthwise, remove the seeds and eat. You will think you are in the Tropics, once you taste one of these papayas.

Strawberry Papayas are grown in several areas throughout their season, but currently, they are imported from Brazil. They grown in clusters at the top of the tree and are picked once they begin to streak with color. When you purchase a strawberry papaya, choose one that is soft to touch; it should have a slight blush of yellow as opposed to solid green. You can ripen fruit at room temperature in a paper bag in about 3 days. Strawberry papayas are low calorie and high in vitamin C. They have about 39 calories per 3½ oz. serving.


Sweet Young Coconuts
Sweet Young Coconut’s are traditionally used and noted for the large amount of water they contain. The water is sweet and delicious right out of the shell. The sweet pudding-like flesh is also wonderful fresh from the shell as well as in fruit salads and custards.

Many athletes are drinking fresh coconut water due to the natural electrolytes found in the coconut water. You can use the water in recipes to add mild coconut flavor, or in other drinks to give them a natural tropical flavor.


Sweet Young Coconut Punch Tool
Melissa’s exclusive Coconut Punch tool is perfect for easy access to the coconut water. Follow the simple instructions on the package for a convenient easy to use tool for opening your fresh sweet young coconut.


Champagne Grapes
These tiny grapes are actually a Zante Currant (also known as Black Corinth) variety that is seedless. The name stems from Greece where they were grown and very popular over 2000 years ago. These miniature grapes grow on vines in clusters of as many as 300 grapes! It is believed that champagne grapes get their unique name because of their California usage: draped over a glass of champagne or wine as an edible garnish. They are a very sweet grape in which the entire cluster is edible, including the small stems. They are generally eaten as is, and are often dried to use in baking and cooking (currants and raisins). Any way you eat them; these are delicious and unusual grapes.

Champagne grapes should be washed before eaten. Keep them stored in the refrigerator for longest shelf-life and eat within a few days for best taste. Grapes are a good source of potassium with about 65 calories in a three ounce serving.