Notes from the Green Grocer -- Dec. 20, 2005

"The pomegranate, affectionately known as the 'jewel of winter,' has recently been acclaimed for its health benefits, in particular, for its disease-fighting antioxidant potential. Preliminary studies suggest that pomegranate juice may contain almost three times the total antioxidant ability compared with the same quantity of green tea or red wine. It also provides a substantial amount of potassium, is high in fiber, and contains vitamin C and niacin. Used in folk medicine (to treat inflammation, sore throats, and rheumatism) for centuries in the Middle East, India, and Iran, the pomegranate is about the size of an orange or an apple. It has a tough, dark red or brownish rind. The seeds and the juicy translucent scarlet red pulp surrounding the seeds of the pomegranate are the edible parts of the fruit, although only the pulp has any flavor. Encased within a bitter-tasting, white, spongy, inedible membrane, the seeds can be gently pried out with your hands. Perhaps one of the reasons the pomegranate isn't as popular as it deserves is that it takes time and care to get to the seeds. The flavor of these juicy seeds is delicate, sweet, and tangy."

More about Pomegranates from Whole Earth Foods. . .

LETTUCE MARKET:  Spinach, Iceberg Lettuce, Boston, Romaine, Greenleaf, and Redleaf: East coast shipping demand, frost in the fields reducing harvest time to around 4 hours a day, and a shortage of labor is causing shippers to struggle to meet holiday demand; prices are up and will remain high through the most of the holiday season; try to stay ahead on inventory over the next week…

TOMATO UPDATE:  Two Layer Repack Tomatoes and Loose Tomatoes: Prices continue to escalate as cold weather makes supply a real issue; quality is a little better but not much. Cherry Tomatoes: Not very much ripe fruit is available; supplies are very short and shippers are sending green fruit to the market; prices remain high. Roma Tomatoes: This market continues to remain firm; so far quality has been very nice. Yellow Tomatoes: Supplies are improving; prices have leveled off. Grape Tomatoes and Teardrops: Same story here, supplies are short and prices are high. Heirloom Tomatoes: Organic fruit is still available but supplies are drying up rapidly; quality is very good and prices are unchanged...

FRESH FRUITS: Apricots: New Zealand and Chili both are shipping; quality is good. Haas Avocados: We are shipping primarily California fruit; oil content is improving; prices are down; Chilean is available too but the price is higher than California. Cherries: Good supplies of Chilean Bings are still available; prices are affordable. Figs: Light supplies; prices are high; only brown Turkish figs are available, no blacks. Cantaloupes: Supplies are short; quality is improving; prices have leveled off. Honeydews: Supplies are good; prices are unchanged. Watermelon: Cold weather is again causing a shortage; prices are up. Green and Red Grapes: California quality is still good on red; for greens we are using South American superior seedless; quality is very nice. Oranges: Texas Valencia’s are the best for juicing; we have California navels for garnish; quality is excellent on both kinds. Grapefruit: We have plenty of Texas Rio stars; quality is very good. Hawaiian Papayas: Color is short; prices are high. Nectarines and Peaches: Chilean boat fruit has arrived; prices are lower; white flesh fruit is now available. Plums: They are about a week away. There are good supplies of Apples, Cranberries, Gold Kiwi’s, Mangoes, Pomegranates, and Pears . . .

FRESH VEGETABLES:  Artichokes: Castroville chokes still have frost damage; they are heavy on 24 and 36 count, 18 and loose chokes are very short. Asparagus: cold weather and shipping demand is making product short; prices are up. Bok Choy and Napa Cabbage: Prices are up. Blue Lake Beans: Cold weather is causing prices to rise. Broccoli: Prices are firm; best quality is coming out of the central coast. Cauliflower: Supply is short; the market is up again. Cabbage: Prices have leveled off on both green and red. Celery: Prices are firming up. Cucumbers: Inventories are still short and prices continue to rise; cold weather in Mexico is again the problem. Eggplant: Short supply too, prices will be higher. Kale: Local growers are coming up short; prices are up. Red Onions: Prices are unchanged. Yellow Onions: No change in price. White Onions: Prices are the same. Curly Parsley and Italian Parsley: Supplies are short; prices are high. Green Bell Peppers: Prices are up due to short supply. Red and Gold Bell Peppers: Prices are up too; quality is still good. Squash: Gold Zucchini: Supplies are extremely short; prices are still high. Yellow Straightneck: Prices are off and quality is good; this is the best buy of all the yellow squashes. Green Zucchini: Supplies are better; prices are beginning to recede. French Haricot Vert Beans: Prices are up due to shipping demand. Yellow Wax Beans: Supplies are short too; prices are moving up. Baby Squashes: Holiday demand is making all varieties a little short; prices are up. There are good supplies of Chard, Carrots, China Peas, Hard Squashes, Sweet Potatoes, and Yams...

As with all fresh fruits and vegetables, the market could change daily . . .

Further description of all the fruits and vegetables mentioned above can be found at Whole Health Foods and Wegman's Online Produce Encylopedia.


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