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!
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 located in the Fallbrook area of Southern California, 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 “citrusy” 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 all have their own well-known green-skin varieties too but cannot import to mainland USA because of potential pests
Hass may be ‘king of the market’, 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
Our hearts go out to those affected by the Palisades, Eaton and Hurst fires in Southern California. Our growers in the region are not in the fire danger zone and are safe from harm. Eco Farms reports the high winds (80-100 mph) that started the fires have caused damage to the avocado crop in the Fallbrook/Temecula area. The last block of the Fuerte was badly impacted, leaving remaining supply uncertain. New crop California Hass trees were blown over; growers are scrambling to harvest fruit from the trees and cut down the trees. It’s still too soon to tell the lasting impacts of prolonged winds and smoke on other crops in the area. Stay tuned for more updates.
New & Exciting!
Bacon Avocado: Back after a long gap! Green skin with creamy, buttery flesh and mild flavor. Hint: The skin does not change color as it ripens.
Red Seedless Table Grape: imported from Peru, these babies are sweet with big berries. Get them while you can!
Cocktail Grapefruit: Aromatic with sweet, subtly tart flavor. The skin turns green to yellow as it matures. Great for eating fresh, adding to winter salads or juicing! Easy to peel.
Honey Tangerine: A new variety and 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 Ojai are here! Click here to learn more about how the Kishu was popularized by Churchill Orchards.
Purple Broccoli: New variety from Rundle Family Farms! The dark purple-greenish heads on violet stems makes for a striking winter display.
Red Globe Pomelo: Sweet, sugary, and floral flavor with a tart, berry-like aftertaste. Smaller with thinner rind than other pomelos. Stock up for the Lunar New Year!
Snapdragon: Arriving just in time to infuse color and intrigue into the winter floral scene. The name comes from the shape of the individual flower heads, which look like the snout of a legendary dragon.
Promotable
Avocado with Green Skin: Nestled between domestic Hass old crop and new crop, 60 & 70 size fruit is perfect for great value, especially while the import Mexican Hass prices rocket out of control.
Broccoli: This antioxidant rich superfood is the key to fighting off winter colds. Take advantage of plentiful supply with promotable pricing on 14 count bunched broccoli.
Cauliflower: Delicious, nutritious and oh-so versatile. From crudité to cauliflower rice and pizza crust, this sweet brassica does it all!
Fairchild Tangerine: Rich, bright, sweet flavor with a subtle tang. Contains seeds.
Heirloom Tomato: This mixed medley offers rich tomato flavor during the peak of winter. Grown in Mexico, Ram’s Farm tomatoes are handpicked, cooled, and carefully packed for long lasting quality!
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.
Lemon: When life gives you a good deal on lemons, stock up! Plentiful supply and promotable pricing on 115 count.
Ruby Grapefruit: Beloved for its beautiful pinkish-red flesh and juicy, sweet, and tangy flavor, this variety is one of the most popular grapefruits in the USA. Strong and steady supply from B&J Ranch, an exclusive VV grower in California’s Coachella Valley. Great promotable item for shoppers looking to kick start healthy eating for the year!
Fun Fact: Higher vitamin C content is indicated by tangy tartness in citrus (and all fruit).
Slicer Cucumber: Abundant supply at sharp pricing!
Limited
Artichoke: Limited or gapping; should pick up second half of this month.
Celery: Limited supply; production expected to pick up mid-January.
Dill
Eggplant: Graffiti gapping for 3 weeks. Globe & Italian shaped fruit is suddenly very limited; prices are up.
Gem Lettuce
Lime: Prices are ticking up, and predicted to climb through the Super Bowl (February 9th)
Passionfruit: Back for a splash of tropical delight; supply may not last more than a few weeks
Yellow Baker Potato: No supply available for the foreseeable future.
Done for the Season
African Shaddock Pomelo
Asparagus
Avocado from Las Palmalitas- old crop Hass
Daisy Tangerine
Gold Kiwi
Persimmon
Satsuma Tangerine
Merchandising Corner
This time of year brings three major food & floral holidays. The Lunar New Year on January 29th, the Super Bowl on February 9th and Valentine’s Day 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 January 29th 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. This year, pomelos will be in good supply for Lunar New Year!
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 Orlando, Minneola and Kishu tend to be more popular. Cara Caras have fantastic flavor this season! Stock up on these varieties.
Flowers and Budding Branches –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.