Tangy, sweet, and perfectly sized for snacking, mandarins are a group of citrus fruits that include Satsumas, tangerines, and clementines.  “Tangerine” typically refers to varieties with a darker-colored peel. There are at least 167 different varieties of mandarins—varying in size and flavor. However, all mandarins are generally smaller than oranges and have distinctive loose skin, making them easier to peel and enjoy. 

Fun Fact: In the USA, tangerine originally referred to deeply colored mandarins that were originally exported from the North African port Tangier, which lent the fruit its name. 

Mandarins are one of the five original citrus types from which all other citrus fruits are descended. The other original types include pommelos, citrons, kumquats, and papedas (a primitive citrus valued mainly for its fragrant leaves). 

Native to Asia mandarins were introduced west ward by Arab botanists dedicated to growing their favorite varieties. In the early 1800s, several varieties were adopted by Mediterranean growers, especially in Italy. Mandarins were first planted in the USA in the mid-1800s when the Italian Consul planted two varieties in New Orleans. Interest in cultivation spread to Florida and neighboring Gulf states, which eventually became the hub of commercial production. Today, California produces over 90% of the country’s mandarin crop.

Fun Fact: The name “mandarin” is taken from the title of counselors in the Chinese imperial courts who wore bright orange robes and headpieces with buttons that resemble the fruit. 

New & Exciting!

African Shaddock Pomelo (right): Juicy, fragrant with mild sweet tart flavor. Low acidity. The flesh is a lovely pale yellow or pink color.

Cara Cara Navel Orange: California-grown Cara Caras are coming on weeks earlier than usual. Sweeter than a typical Navel, this variety is slightly tangy and less acidic, with a hint of berry flavor.   

Chicory: In the winter months, chicories are a delicious alternative to lettuces. Delectable raw or cooked—each variety offers their own unique taste and texture that elevate both salads and savory dishes. Chioggia and Treviso are known for their vibrant dark crimson leaves. Their bitter flavor mellows, and actually becomes sweet when grilled or roasted. Castelfranco has pale tender green leaves with specks and splotches of burgundy—truly beautiful and very mild tasting! Escarole looks much like lettuce, but the leaves are thicker, white at the ribs and dark green toward the softly frilled edges. 

Cosmic Crisp Apple: A cross between a Honeycrisp and an Enterprise, these apples are large and strikingly red, with a sweet-tart balance, and refreshing flavor. The name comes from the impression their ruby red color, with little specks of yellow, looks like a brilliant night sky. This variety is slow to oxidize, making it ideal for fresh recipes: salads, cheese boards, or dipped in nut butter as a snack. 

Daisy Tangerine: Sweet and tart flavor, with hints of spice. Distinctive tangerine flavor and aroma.  Beautiful high-red orange color. 

Korean Sweet Daikon: AKA “Mu”. Shorter and rounder than Japanese daikon with sweeter flavor. White with green near the tops.  

Lee Nova Tangerine: Rich, sweet, and bursting with juice.  Seedless, reddish-orange fruit with a thin rind that makes for easy peeling.    

Orlando Tangelo: Coming soon! Very juicy, with a sweet-tart flavor. Very few seeds and easy to peel. Cross between a mandarin and a pomelo. 

Red Walnut: Creamier texture and milder taste than familiar brown skinned walnuts. The nutmeat has a gorgeous mahogany color and is a true conversation starter! These nuts have a higher oil content and are more nutritious! A real winter treat! 

Promotable 

Blueberry: The South American summer is just starting. Peruvian fruit is expected to be steady through December. Quality is fantastic!

Brussels Sprouts: The sprout market is flush; prices have come down. It’s a good time to promote this popular winter item. Ask your Account Manager about volume deals! 

Eggnog: Delicious, creamy eggnog from Alexandre Family Farms and Straus Family Creamery is here now. Only available through December!   

Hass Avocado: In what can only be explained as a holiday miracle, Las Palmalitas Ranch is surprisingly still in good supply on 40 and 48 count “late-season” California-grown fruit. Availability is expected to last 2-3 more weeks. 

Maple Sugar Candy: What Chanukah candy bowl or Christmas stocking would be complete without some wholesome nutritious USA-made maple candy? Six-piece ‘grab & go’ packages perfect for the holidays! 

Satsuma Tangerine: Juicy, sweet, seedless and easy to peel. It’s no wonder it’s one of the most popular tangerine varieties!

Tomato-on-Vine: While other tomatoes are limited, TOVs are plentiful. Get in on the sharp price! 

Limited

Acorn & Kabocha Squash: Prices are up as California supply is ending. We will be transitioning to Mexican-grown product. 

Artichoke: No supply 

Bacon Avocado: While the domestic green-skin crop is just starting, the colder weather is slowing production of fruit. Stand by for Fuerte, Zutano and Ettinger in the next months. 

Cauliflower: Limited, costs are up. We could see gaps in availability until desert production starts, which still looks a couple weeks out. 

Celery: Limited, costs have spiked. With desert crop still a month away, supply will be limited, and costs are expected to be high through the month of December.    

Melon: Limited/gapping 

SweeTango Apple: Gapping for several weeks 

Sugar Pie Pumpkin 

Done for the Season 

Cranberry 

Red & Green Grapes 

Merchandising Corner

Get Ahead for Winter Holidays  

There is often a shopping lull between Thanksgiving and the December holidays including Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanza, and New Years.  Retailers who take advantage of this time generally have a much better experience during the holiday season. Take this opportunity to strategize and tackle small projects so your store can continue running smoothly during the upcoming holiday rush. 

Deep Clean: Now is a great time to do some deep cleaning and display resets. Schedule time when your store is not open to the public to break tables downs and give them a good cleaning. During the Thanksgiving shopping craze, thorough cleaning falls by the wayside since there is so much focus on keeping product on the floor and the displays full. 

Advertise Popular and Local Items: Plan some exciting specials or ads to run to keep customers interested and shopping. Build a large citrus display to bring color into your department. Specialty citrus like Satsumas are here and in good supply. Amazing apple varieties like Cosmic Crisp and Pink Lady are always a big hit with customers. Californian green-skin avocados, like Bacon and Zutano, are coming into season and will provide an eye-catching color break to Hass avocado displays. Import berries are in great supply and sell well at this time. Advertising a variety of popular items will drive sales and keep your shoppers coming in. 

Social Media Promotion: Kick up your social media presence. Talk up and promote all the spectacular new produce offerings and holiday items available. Post recipes your customers can try and list out ingredients they will need. 

Get Ahead: Catch up on any projects that got pushed to the side during Thanksgiving. Promote holiday specials as early as possible. Plan out your weekly schedules as far out as you can. Catch up on recording invoices and credits. Don’t wait until after the New Year to play catch up!