Summer Ends and Falls Begins
Asian Pears
New crop CA-grown Asian pears are juicy and delicious. Asian pears or apple pears taste very similar to a pear but resemble an apple, which is where their name is derived. There are hundreds of varieties of Asian pears available today, making them available just about all year-round. They are delicious eaten out-of-hand and are firm and crunchy with plenty of sweet juice. They are great on fruit platters, salads, pies, desserts, or wherever you may use an apple.
Most Asian pears will last about 30 days when refrigerated, but it is always best to eat as soon as possible. Store them in the refrigerator, wrapped carefully so they will not bruise. Most are hand-picked and individually wrapped to prevent any bruising during shipping. Asian pears are a good source of vitamin B and potassium. They are also low in calories (about 44 calories per 3 ounces), making them the perfect snack.
Figs:
Melissa’s Heirloom Figs are various varieties, including: Black Mission, Tiger Stripe, Kadota, Sierra or Brown Turkey. All grown fresh in California’s Central Valley, figs are a luscious fruit, high in fiber and full of flavor! Great for eating out-of-hand, in desserts, on fruit plates or made into sauces.
Black Mission Figs are actually deep purple and one of the more popular figs. They get their name from the missionaries that were said to be the first to plant in San Diego, California.
Tiger Stripe Figs are a beautiful yellow-green with darker stripes and a raspberry-colored interior. They are a very sweet fig, making them popular for desserts.
All figs are a good source of calcium and various vitamins, making them a healthier snack! Figs are seasonal so get them while you can!
Grapes:
Jelly Drops® are juicy purple grapes that are a cross between a Thompson seedless and a Concord grape, giving them a delicious grape jelly flavor! Eat as a snack or freeze as a special treat. They are plump, sweet and healthy, filled with antioxidants and contain about 60 calories per cup. Available in both conventional and organically grown.
Melissa’s Muscato™ Grapes are grown specifically to produce a better-tasting, sweeter taste than conventional grapes. They are available in Red, Green and Black. These grapes are grown on high trellis systems that allow the grapes to get more sunlight for better growth and higher sugar levels. Muscato™ grapes are delicious in fruit salads or eaten as a healthy snack anytime. They offer plenty of vitamin A and C. They are also a great low-calorie treat with about 60 calories per cup.
Champagne Grapes are tiny and are actually a Zante Currant (also known as Black Corinth) variety that is seedless. 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 generally eaten as-is or used in desserts, smoothies and sorbets.
Champagne grapes should be washed before being eaten. Keep them stored in the refrigerator for the longest shelf-life and eat within a few days for the best flavor. Grapes are a good source of potassium, with about 65 calories in a three-ounce serving.
Candy Sweets® are smaller than most other grape varieties and they taste just like candy! They are perfect for snacking, fruit salads or garnishes. They are the perfect summer snack.
California Green Keitt Mango
Keitt Mangoes have completely green skin with no red/orange/yellow colorations like more common mangoes. They are large, plump and juicy, and stay green when ripe. These delicious mangoes have buttery soft, fibreless 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 in August and September, so don’t miss out!
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 a record of pomegranates being buried in Egyptian tombs! Pomegranates are a Greek symbol of fertility. These beautiful red fruits were used for fabric dye and medicine years ago. Today, they are eaten as a sweet and delicious treat whenever they are in season.
Pomegranates are generally chosen for their size; the larger the fruit, the sweeter it will be. They are best eaten at room temperature but can be refrigerated to prolong their shelf life. Pomegranate juice and seeds can be frozen for later use. Use pomegranate seeds in fruit salads, garnish on plates, sorbets, desserts, or juices. They are low-calorie, with about 20 calories per ounce. They are a good source of potassium, low in sodium, and are also a source of vitamins B and C.
Jackfruit
Melissa’s fresh jackfruit is one of the newest items in the marketplace. Jackfruit is the largest tree fruit grown; one fruit can grow to over 30 pounds! It is commonly grown in Southeast Asia, as well as Mexico. Jackfruit has become popular in the vegetarian community for its hearty flesh and unique flavor. It contains several vitamins and minerals and is a rich source of vitamin B6 and a good source of potassium.
Melissa’s is now offering fresh jackfruit in a ready-to-eat 10oz. package—a perfect way to get the amazing flavor of jackfruit without the peeling and mess!
Rambutan
This unusual-looking sub-tropical fruit contains a white grape-like flesh with a large seed. Remove the hairy-looking shell, take out the seed and enjoy the tutti-frutti flavored flesh. They are a great snack, containing nutrients high in fiber and said to be helpful as an anti-cancer fruit. They are low-calorie and refreshing to enjoy anytime!
