The winter season brings us a delightful treat—green-skin avocadoes. While Hass avocados dominate the world market, there are many California-grown green-skin varieties that are not to be missed! Bacon, Fuerte and Zutano are the most familiar, but during many seasons Pinkerton, Ettinger, MacArthur and Reed are also available in limited quantities. Some fall into the ‘heirloom’ category and should be given respect. ‘Green-skins’ command a lower price point than Hass, providing great value, plus they are domestic, and locally grown.
Bacon: Contrary to the name, Bacons do not have any pork flavor. They are uber-buttery having very smooth consistency, with medium oil content. Very light & yummy with salt and a squeeze of lime!
Fun Fact: Bacons are named after James E. Bacon who first grew them in southern California in 1954.
Ettinger: Relatively new to the avocado scene here in the USA, this pear-shaped variety is very popular in Israel. The flesh turns from pale green to yellow as it matures. Lower oil content, with a more mellow flavor than other varieties.
Fuerte: The connoisseurs’ avocado! Dense and rich with deep nutty flavor. Fuertes have high oil content, relatively small pits and a characteristic ‘long-neck’ tear-drop shape, The skin peels easily from the rich, dark-yellow flesh.
Fun Fact: Our grower, Eco Farms, harvests their Fuertes from trees that are over 100 years old!
Zutano: Its smooth skin is more yellow-hued than the other varieties. Low oil content, subtle flavor and low in fat!
Sometimes referred to as “pollinator varieties,” green-skin avocado trees such as Bacon, Ettinger, Fuerte and Zutano play an important role in pollination for Hass trees. Their blooms attract bees and pollinators, encouraging biodiversity and increasing fruit production. When paired successfully, it’s a match made in avocado heaven!
Although less well-known now, the Bacon, Fuerte and Zutano were very popular prior to the 1970’s in California and were the main varieties available before Hass became ubiquitous. However, we think they’re making a comeback! In other parts of the world, green-skin varieties are a big part of avocado production. Round, very large sized Caribbean and Florida varieties, such as Booth, are common and popular back East, but not normally shipped to the West Coast. Hawaii, India, New Zealand and Polynesia have their own well-known green-skin varieties too but cannot import to mainland USA because of potential pests.
Hass may be king, due to year-round production and sturdy shipping qualities, but expand your experience and try some delicate green-skin avocados. Now is the time!
Weather Watch
Winter storms across the country are affecting supply in several categories.
In the Pacific Northwest, freezing temperatures and icy conditions are impacting potatoes. Our potato grower in Oregon reports not being able to get machinery in the fields to harvest potatoes. Trucking of apples from this region is also delayed due to snow.
In California, cold temperatures in desert growing regions have slowed down harvests and production for broccoli, cauliflower, leafy greens and root vegetables. Rain and wind have not helped the situation! Expect intermittent gaps in supply, particularly cauliflower.
Further south, cold temperatures in Mexico are causing supply to tighten on tomatoes, squash and cucumber. Prices are trending up. Pea production is all but finished due to poor quality resulting from the wet and cold conditions.
And even further south, Peru’s production of mangos is down 70% due to their disastrous cyclone last March, so prices will remain high this winter season.
New & Exciting!
Dancy Tangerine (left): Offers distinctive tangerine flavor and aroma and well-balanced combination of sweetness and acidity. Unusually high red-orange color adds nice contrast to any citrus display. Versatile and can be added to salads, eaten raw, or used for zest.
Honey Tangerine: A new variety and a B&J Ranch exclusive. It has very few seeds with low acidity. It offers a mild, sweet flavor with subtle honey notes. Peels easily and great for eating fresh, juicing and zesting. The skin is very aromatic!
Kishu Tangerine (right): Petite in size (but not in flavor), seedless, easy to peel, and beloved for their sweetness. The long awaited Kishus from Jim Churchill, “The Tangerine Man,” are coming soon! Click here to learn more about how the Kishu was popularized by Churchill Orchards.
TDE Tangerine: Sweet, rich and a triple treat of flavor! The TDE is a triple cross of a Temple tangor, a Dancy mandarin, and an Encore mandarin, pulling the best characteristics of each variety.
Mandarinquat: Hybrid between a mandarin and a kumquat. Small sized but larger and sweeter than a typical kumquat; can be eaten whole. The sweet and crunchy skin combined with soft, tangy flesh & juice creates a delightful overall flavor.
Red Seedless Grape: Passion Fire pouches are here from Anthony Vineyards; grown in Peru.
Promotable
Apple: Sharp pricing on Cosmic Crisp, Fuji and Honeycrisp. Supply is steady for winter promotions!
Avocado: While Hass supply is still squirrely, talk to your Account Manager about opportunities in the green-skin category.
Blood Orange: Great balance of sweet & tart cherry-like flavor and beautiful ruby colored flesh. The juice is rich and delicious with undertones of fresh berries. Most popular orange in Italy!
Cara Cara Navel Orange (left): Distinctly rich sweet flavor with beautiful reddish-pink colored flesh. Steady supply makes this perfect for promoting during citrus season!
Hard Squash: Local California supply for Butternut and Delicata are still going strong.
Kiwi (right): We’re seeing an abundance of small sized green kiwifruit from Wild River. Volume deals available!
Orlando Tangelo: Very juicy, excellent sweet/tart balance. Cross between Dancy tangerine and a Duncan grapefruit. Available in Large, Jumbo, Mammoth and Colossal sizes from B&J Ranch.
Ruby Grapefruit: Sharp prices on both the Ruby and Rio Red grapefruit from B&J Ranch, an exclusive VV grower. Flavor is sweet with healthy tanginess. Fruit from this grower is simply the best!
Fun Fact: Higher vitamin C content is indicated by tangy tartness in citrus (and all fruit).
Limited
Arugula: Gapping due to cold weather.
Berries: Strawberry, Blueberry, Blackberry and Raspberry are limited.
Cherry Tomato
Cucumber: Prices are up on Slicer and English Hothouse. Persian are gapping.
Green Onion
Heirloom Tomato
Russet Potato
Straightneck Squash
Zucchini
Done for the Season
Lou Lou Navel
Peas
Merchandising Corner
The beginning of February brings three major food & floral holidays. The Lunar New Year: is on February 10th, the Super Bowl is on February 11th and Valentine’s Day is on February 14th.
Below we share Lunar New Year merchandising tips but don’t miss our notes on how to get ready for the Super Bowl and Valentine’s Day.
Lunar New Year Merchandising
The Lunar New Year, which falls on February 10th this year, is a great opportunity to make some fun citrus displays and educate your customers about this holiday. Lunar New Year is a special time to bring friends and family together for feasting and festivities in China, Korea, Vietnam, Japan, Mongolia and other countries all over the world. For the most part, customers will be looking for products that serve as decoration and gifts, as well as food.
Stem and Leaf Citrus – Tangerines with fresh leaves still attached to the stem are highly sought after during this time. The leaves represent wholeness and balance. Any orange-colored fruit such as Satsuma, Murcott, or navel orange can be presented this attractive way. Stem and leaf citrus isn’t easy to find, but if you can get some, make sure not to pass on the chance to bring it in for your customers.
Pomelo – Traditionally, it is important to have at least one pomelo in the house for Lunar New Year. To decorate your house with pomelos implies a hope that you and your home will have everything it needs.
Kumquat – Kumquats are delightful and delicious, and they also represent wealth and good fortune. Kumquats are becoming more readily available and should be in steady supply soon, but make sure to snap some up when you see them on the list.
Oranges, Tangerines and Mandarins – These golden colored fruits also represent good fortune. The easy-to-peel varieties like Satsuma, Clementine, Minneola and Kishu tend to be more popular. Stock up on these varieties.
Flowers and Budding Branches – Daffodils and tulips are some of the first flowers we see in the new year, and are very popular during Lunar New Year celebrations. Blossoming quince, plum, and cherry branches are fragrant and signal that Spring is coming. Don’t forget to stock up for Valentine’s Day as well! The weather is unpredictable, so talk to your Account Manager soon!
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