MR. GREENS "FRESH TIPS"
February 23, 2001
Our last YOUR PRODUCE MAN PUZZZZLE dealt with winter citrus: What is the only citrus that can be picked when not ripe? That's right. There is a citrus that is picked when it is not ripe. Not Oranges. Not Limes. Not Grapefruit. Lemons are the only citrus that is picked when not ripe. They ripen better in storage than they do when left on the tree. When lemons are harvested, a metal ring is used to determine proper sizing, to make sure the Lemon is big enough to be picked. Then they are sorted by color, from green to silvery green. Lemons are then ripened under controlled storage to that bright yellow color that you see. This week's PUZZZZLE deals with fruit: What is the world's largest fruit industry? Here's a hint: It may be #1 in the world, but itŐs only #2 in the United States. See next week's "Fresh Tips" for the correct answer.
SPRING SPROUTING: Every Spring, we hear about...those sprouting spuds. Well, every year, Spring is Mother Nature's way of rebirth, regrowth. People get Spring fever. So do spuds. Dr. Gale Klinkopf is a potato scientist with the University of Idaho. That's potato country. Dr. Klinkopf describes the sprouting process like this: "Potatoes are tubers and they have a natural dormancy cycle of about 3 - 4 months. When there is a dormancy break, that tuber has completed its cycle. Internal hormonal changes take place, causing the tuber to sprout. It's a normal development to start a new plant for the new year." When sprouting starts, growers call that "buds are peeping from the eyes." Storage and temperature controls help slow the sprouting by "increasing the dormancy time." However, Dr. Klinkopf says that "a sprouting spud is a healthy spud.&quit; He says that sprouting actually causes the Russet potato to dehydrate slightly, just enough to produce a much fluffier baked potato. Here are some tips Dr. Klinkopf says will help minimize sprouting: Keep your spuds cool, and in the dark. That means keep potatoes in a dark place. He says that if you end up with a lot of sprouting, simply pluck the sprout off or peel the potato. Dr. Klinkopf also says that you can refrigerate your Russets. The cold temperatures will slow the sprouting growth. Colder temperatures will cause the starches to turn to sugar, so if you are frying your spuds, this wouldn't be a good option. But, if you are boiling, mashing or baking your spuds, refrigerating your potatoes would be perfect. By the way, in the Spring, you start seeing "regrowth" on other vegetables, like onions, garlic, shallots and gingerroot. Keeping produce cold and dark will help slow regrowth.
BLOSSOM TIME IS A CRITICAL TIME: If you have noticed, blossoms have started popping on trees. That means Spring is just around the corner. This time of year, the San Joaquin Valley becomes like a huge painting, with brilliant colors of blossoms on fruit and nut trees. As pretty as it may be, it is also a very critical time for growers. You see, every blossom is a piece of fruit. That delicate blossom is exposed to the elements of weather. Too cold, and the blossom will freeze. Too hot, and the blossom will melt off. Too windy and rainy, the blossoms will fall off before they have had a chance to be pollinated. During this blossom time, from now into April, watch the weather, from the peach orchards in Georgia to the vast stonefruit orchards in California to the apple orchards in Washington. For the next four weeks, weather will determine how much fruit will be harvested this summer and fall, and how much we'll pay for it. By the way, have you ever wondered why the fruit blossoms are so brightly colored? Well, bees are a little blind. The blossoms have to be bright to attract the almost blind bees to help pollination.
LETTUCE: Cold temperatures in the desert growing regions is having a strong impact on quality and pricing. Early morning temperatures have been above freezing, bringing only slight frost damage. Along with the colder temperatures, the region has seen very strong winds. Some growers are getting gusts in the fields up to 40 mph. Wind and cold cause chapped lips on people. It's kind of the same for lettuce. It will cause some wind and tip burn, and can dehydrate the outer leaves. Colder temperatures also slows growth, which obviously affects yields in the field. Expect prices to stay high with some quality issues. And don't expect the lettuce to last as long for you. Use it up quickly.