In this issue:
More on citrus
Contact us
Past issues online
More on
Citrus
In our newsletter last
week (Issue # 48,
Citrus Season is Here), we reported that the fresh,
organic citrus season is in full swing. We introduced
you to seven different organic citrus fruits now available
from Goodness Greeness, we discussed some of the popular
varieties and we explored the nutritional benefits of
citrus.
We'd like to build on
last week's report by looking at some of these varieties in
more detail and provide you with some tips and ideas for
using organic citrus in your diet. This week, we'll
look at:
-
Meyer lemons
-
Hamlin oranges
-
Sunburst tangerines
-
Bio-dynamic limes
You should be able to
find all of these items from Goodness Greeness at your local
organic produce market this week. If not,
email us
and we'll help you locate them.
Health
tip update
In last week's
newsletter, we described the nutritional benefits of citrus
fruit, including a discussion of the vitamin C in citrus and
it's role in combating colds and flu. We forgot to
mention the fact that vitamin C is not stored in your body,
so you need a daily supply of fresh citrus to obtain the
nutritional benefit provided by vitamin C.
Meyer
lemons
Before Meyer lemons came
onto the scene, lemons had a tart and sour flavor.
Now, you can get a pure, clear, mild and sweet lemon flavor
with this popular variety.
In fact, Meyer lemons
have become the favorite choice of chefs and gourmet cooks
everywhere.
Meyer lemons are actually
a cross between a lemon and a mandarin orange. They
were discovered in China by a USDA employee named Frank
Meyer back in 1908, but didn't gain popularity until the
50's and '60's. Most are grown in California, but they
also are grown in Texas and Florida. They are a bit
more fragile than conventional lemons, so we don't see them
as often as we'd like on produce stands.
Because they are a lemon
- orange cross, they have more of an orange shape, more
golden orange flesh and are sweeter and less-acidic than
conventional lemons.
Fresh Meyers can be
refrigerated for up to ten days. You can use Meyers as
you would other lemons, but because they are sweeter, you
need much less sugar in recipes calling for lemons. If
a recipe calls for tart lemons (like lemon meringue pie),
don't use Meyers - use a traditional tart lemon.
In addition to using
Meyers in your recipes, here are a few ideas for other uses:
Add a slice or two to a
glass of water - it has visual appeal and makes the water
taste and smell better.
Instead of using butter
or salt, try squeezing some fresh Meyer lemon on salads,
soups, stews and steamed veggies.
Grate the skin (the
"zest") of a fresh Meyer for added intensity in cakes and
cookies.
Place a bowl of fresh
Meyers in any room for a few days to add fragrance and
color.
Hamlin
oranges
Navel
oranges are great for eating and juicing, but for the best
orange juice at this time of year, try organic Hamlins.
These are an early season variety, with a smooth, thin skin
that is easy to peel. The flesh is deep yellow to
orange with a pleasant, sweet flavor and low acidity.
When you
make juice with Hamlins, you get the best taste and
nutrition by juicing only enough to meet your current needs.
Sunburst tangerines
 There
are three types of tangerines - "regular" Tangerines,
Mandarins and Tangelos. Sunburst is a relatively new
variety of the Tangerine type and is rapidly gaining
popularity. They have a rich, naturally sweet flavor
and a colorful deep orange flesh.
This early to mid-season
variety is a great snacking fruit - they are smaller, easier
to carry, and easier to peel than oranges. Kids love 'em.
You can also use organic
Sunbursts in:
Salads, desserts and as a
garnish - be sure to remove any seeds by cutting into
segments, snipping the center of the segment and gently
squeezing out any seeds.
Coleslaw or tuna salad -
just add segments for an unexpected, delicious and colorful
dish.
Freshly grated tangerine
peels can provide an exotic touch to many other dishes
(poultry, fish, casseroles).
Bio-dynamic limes
This week, we are also
featuring fresh organic limes grown bio-dynamically from
Beck Groves. These limes have a distinctive floral
flavor, a spicy aroma and, like all citrus, they are rich in
vitamin C.
We will introduce you to
bio-dynamic agriculture in another issue later this winter,
but suffice it to say that it is an advanced method of
organic agriculture practiced by growers dedicated to
sustainable and environmentally friendly methods.
Here are a few tips for
using organic limes:
You can substitute limes,
or fresh-squeezed lime juice, in any recipe calling for
lemons.
Add lime segments or
twists to carbonated beverages, iced tea or sparkling water.
Squeeze a touch of fresh
lime onto non-creamy soups or guacamole for a lively, zesty
flavor.
Add grated lime zest to
dress up veggies, meat, fish or poultry.
Clean copper-bottom pans
with the rinds of juiced limes.
Contact
us
You can find
a broad selection of organic citrus, as well as a rich variety of
other organic
fruits and vegetables, from Goodness Greeness at your local market.
Email us
at
newsletter@goodnessgreeness.com if you can't find them and we'll help you
locate them.
Past
issues online
As you know if you've
been reading this weekly newsletter each week, there is a
lot of information provided on organic fruits and vegetables, their
nutritional qualities, availability, shopping and
preparation tips, as well as some recipes.
You can now access most of
the past issues of Organics for you on our web site (www.goodnessgreeness.com).
Click on the Newsletter link at the top of any page on the
site. There you'll find a quick index to most of the past
issues.
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